GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida agricultural producers and landowners can now apply for federal conservation easement funding for fiscal year 2027.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications through Oct. 30 for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.
The program provides funding to protect agricultural land from development, preserve grazing land and restore wetlands previously affected by agricultural activity.
Agricultural Land Easements provide funding for permanent easements intended to protect farmland, wildlife habitat, open spaces and historic resources. Interested landowners must apply through an eligible organization, such as a land trust, municipality or state agency.
Landowners can apply directly to the agency for Wetland Reserve Easements. Those agreements help restore wetlands, improve water quality, reduce flooding and protect wildlife habitat.
Some participating landowners can retain grazing rights if the activity follows an approved management plan.
More information and application assistance are available through a local USDA Service Center. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 30 to be considered during the current funding cycle.
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