By Blake Jackson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania has set November 1, 2025, as the sign-up deadline for fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) easements.
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, cutoff periods are used to evaluate and rank submissions based on their potential conservation benefits.
To be considered in the first funding round for FY 2026, all applications must be received by the November 1 deadline. Submissions received after this date will be held for future funding rounds as resources allow.
ACEP ALE and RCPP Easements
Landowners interested in preserving farmland or forestland through ACEP or RCPP should reach out to their local conservation district, county preservation board, or partnering land conservancy.
Participating organizations include Berks Nature, Clearwater Conservancy, Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Land Conservancy of Adams County, Lebanon Valley Conservancy, and the Manada Conservancy.
Applications are submitted by the partner organization, which will hold the conservation easement, often giving federally funded easements a competitive advantage.
ACEP WRE Easements
Landowners seeking to restore and protect wetlands on previously converted cropland or pasture can apply for ACEP Wetland Restoration Easements (WRE) directly through NRCS.
Eligible lands must have a history of crop production, contain hydric soils, and be suitable for restoration to natural wetland conditions.
For more information, landowners are encouraged to contact their local NRCS office to explore program requirements and application assistance.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy