NRCS Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners in Idaho for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which helps producers enroll wetlands, grasslands and farmlands into conservation easements.
While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts ACEP applications year-round, Idaho producers and landowners should apply by Oct. 17, 2025, to be considered for funding in the current cycle. Applications received after the ranking date will be considered during the next funding cycle.
Funding is provided through a competitive process. State Technical Committees, composed of conservation and agricultural-related agency and organization representatives, work with NRCS to identify resource priorities and how best to address them.
The ACEP enrollment option for this funding cycle is:
Agricultural Land Easements (ALE): Protects farmlands and grasslands by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land. Agricultural Land Easements are either perpetual, or the maximum duration allowed under State law.
Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE): restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on eligible land. The easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and protect biological diversity. Easements are for 30 years, or perpetual.
Find all needed forms and Easement deadlines for ACEP and other conservation programs at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ranking-dates. To learn more or apply, please visit your local NRCS Idaho field office, or contact Tracie O’Neill, NRCS Easement Coordinator, at Tracie.Oneill@usda.gov or (208) 716-7926.
