Several NRCS programs are available to landowners interested in land conservation, including the Agricultural Land Easement Program (ALE). The ALE is a partnership program and is geared for working landscapes. NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. The ALE program will provide up to 50% match for working agricultural lands and 75% where there are grasslands of special significance. NRCS does not purchase these easements, rather they contribute to the partner that is acquiring the easement. The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) under the Florida Forest Service has been successfully partnering with the NRCS ALE program, enabling them to leverage their dollars; Water Management Districts and County Land Conservation Programs, Land Trusts and American Indian Tribes are also potential partners with the ALE program.
For information on the Agricultural Land Easement Program (ALE), or if you are a funding partner interesting in securing matching funding, please contact: Roney.Gutierrez@fl.usda.gov – 352-338-9502
Go to www.nrcs.usda.gov for information and application materials.
This material is based upon work supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under grant number 2004.17.058692 through the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.” Any publication prepared with funding from this agreement must include acknowledgement to USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service.