The United States Department of Agricultural Natural Resources Conservation Ser-vice (USDA-NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The deadline to be considered for fiscal year 2026 funding will be Oct. 31, 2025.
This program consists of two components: The Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) option and the Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) option.
The ALE assists conservation organizations in preventing the conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses and maximizes the protection of land devoted to food production.
The WRE option restores, protects and enhances en-rolled wetlands and improves wildlife habitat. Eligible WRE lands include farmed or prior-converted wetlands that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored.
“It is imperative we educate and promote ACEP to the landowners of Mississippi as we are proud to provide this service throughout the state,” said State Conservationist Kurt Readus. “We invite any interested applicant to visit with us to learn more about the easement programs that we at USDA-NRCS can offer.”
Land-owners interested in an ALE should contact local land trusts to develop partnerships for land easements. Applications will be accepted from eligible entities for potential ALE projects.
Landowners interested in WRE should apply at their local field office. Applications will be included in all eligible fund pools for which they qualify including available Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) funding. The program restores and enhances wetlands and improves wildlife habitat — often on marginal and frequently flooded cropland. Eligible lands include farmed or converted wetlands that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored.
In Mississippi, payments can be up to $3,975 per acre in Delta counties as well as in Hinds and Madison counties. Easement payments can be up to $2,925 per acre in the rest of the state.
The NRCS also pays up to 100% of the cost of replanting native bottomland hardwoods and wetland areas. In some cases, natural regeneration is utilized to restore bottomland hardwoods.
Applications are accepted year-round and can be obtained anytime at your local field office or online at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. The initial application deadline for consideration in FY26 is Oct. 31, 2025.
Landowners interested in applying for funding should contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible to begin the application process, which can take up to two years to complete.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a nonprofit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. The website is www.wildlifemiss.org.
