NRCS VT announces additional 2026 signup for Agricultural Land Easements – Vermont Business Magazine

USDA Announces FY 2026 Application Deadline for Agricultural Land Easements in Vermont

Introduction

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont has set a second application batching deadline for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), specifically for Agricultural Land Easements (ALE). The cutoff date for submitting applications is March 30, 2026.

Program Overview and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) initiative supports the protection of croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses through conservation easements. This program aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by preserving productive agricultural lands to ensure sustainable food production.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – through conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity on agricultural lands.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – by promoting sustainable land management practices that contribute to climate resilience.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligible applicants include private and tribal landowners, land trusts, state and local governments, and other entities such as non-profits and tribes. It is important to note that landowners do not apply directly to NRCS for funding; instead, eligible entities submit applications on their behalf.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Entities must meet specific eligibility requirements outlined in the program materials.
2. Landowners of record and the land offered for enrollment must fulfill additional criteria detailed on the Vermont ACEP-ALE webpage.

Required Application Materials

• A completed ‘Entity Application an ALE Agreement’ using form NRCS-CPA-41 (dated 02/2020 or later), unless an active Program Agreement with NRCS exists.
• A completed ‘Parcel Sheet for Entity Application for an ALE Agreement’ using form NRCS-CPA-41A (dated 02/2020 or later).
• All supporting documentation, including maps, to verify land and landowner eligibility.

Application Submission and Review

Applications for ACEP-ALE are accepted throughout the year; however, only those properly completed and submitted by the March 30, 2026 cutoff will be considered for FY 2026 funding, contingent upon availability of funds. Applications received after this date will be deferred to the subsequent funding cycle.

Additional Resources and Contact Information

Updated ranking criteria, application forms, and detailed program information are available on the NRCS Vermont ACEP-ALE webpage.

For application submission or inquiries, please contact:

• Julia Grey, Easement Realty Specialist – [email protected]
• Diana Dellinger, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs – [email protected]

Conclusion

The USDA NRCS’s ACEP-ALE program in Vermont plays a critical role in advancing sustainable agriculture and land conservation, directly supporting the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals. Stakeholders are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications by the March 30, 2026 deadline to contribute to the preservation of Vermont’s agricultural heritage and environmental health.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which helps protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches, directly supporting sustainable agriculture and food security.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The program focuses on conserving agricultural lands and grasslands by limiting non-agricultural uses through conservation easements, contributing to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems and halting land degradation.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • By promoting conservation easements and sustainable land use, the program encourages responsible management of natural resources.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, help maintain ecosystems, and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 2 Indicators
   • Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture (Indicator 2.4.1) – implied through the protection of cropland and grassland via conservation easements.
2. SDG 15 Indicators
   • Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area (Indicator 15.3.1) – implied by efforts to protect working farms and ranches from non-agricultural uses and prevent land degradation.
   • Forest area as a proportion of total land area (Indicator 15.2.1) – indirectly related through conservation easements that may include grasslands and forested agricultural lands.
3. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP (Indicator 12.2.1) – implied by promoting sustainable land use and conservation practices.
4. Program-Specific Indicators
   • Number of Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) agreements executed.
   • Acres of cropland and grassland protected under ACEP-ALE.
   • Number of eligible entities and landowners participating in the program.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vermontbiz.com