Amanda Masholie, Sustainable Ag & Small Farms Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Walton County
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is a USDA initiative designed to protect and restore agricultural lands and wetlands through conservation easements. ACEP was originally established to help landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands and conserve working farmland and ranches. The program functions to protect the viability of lands by limiting non-agricultural uses that could impact agricultural practices and conservation values.
ACEP Consists of two main components:
- Agricultural Land Easements (ALE): This component assists private and tribal landowners in protecting land on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses through conservation easements. Thus, the land remains open for agricultural production.
– - Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE): This component focuses on protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands that have been degraded due to agricultural practices. It allows landowners to enter into conservation land easements that restore wetland function and values.
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Benefits of ACEP
- Financial Assistance: ACEP provides financial and technical assistance to landowners who enroll their lands in the program. This support helps cover the costs associated with implementing conservation practices.
- Long-term Protection: The program enables landowners to permanently protect their lands from development, ensuring that these vital resources remain for future generations to use.
- Environmental Conservation: By focusing on both agricultural lands and wetlands, ACEP address broader environmental goals including wildlife habitat preservation and ecosystem restoration.
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How to Participate
Landowners interested in participating in ACEP can contact their local USDA service center to start the application process. The educational webinar on December 4th will feature discussion on protecting farmlands in the Panhandle through Agricultural Conservation Easements. Our goal is the educate everyone about the importance of preserving agricultural lands in the Panhandle region and how to utilize the program. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Nathan Palardy, who will discuss the benefits of conservation easements and how they help protect farmland for future generations. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with experts in the field and gain valuable insights into sustainable land use practices.
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Register online at: https://AgConservationEasementsPanhandle2025.eventbrite.com
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This webinar will take online place via ZOOM. The ZOOM link will be emailed to registered participants before the event!
As the Sustainable Ag and Small Farms Extension Agent in Walton County, I support the food and fiber system by specializing in the following areas: small homesteads, animal science, farm planning, farm management, beginning farmer, direct marketing and soil health.
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