The U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages groups wanting to protect agricultural land to consider enrolling in its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides matching funds for farmland preservation entities to purchase permanent easements. Land enrolled in an agricultural land easement is permanently protected from conversion to non-agricultural use. Applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program are taken on a continuous basis. Applications must be submitted by May 26, 2023, to be eligible for the current round of funding.
“Protecting agricultural lands preserves Michigan’s heritage, natural resources and open space,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Garry Lee. “Easements are also important tools for people who are trying to improve the management of their land.”
Entities eligible to receive matching funds through the program include American Indian tribes, land trusts, state and local units of government, and non-governmental organizations.
Source: usda.gov
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Michigan, General, Government & Policy