USDA earmarks $332 million for conservation easements

One of USDA’s voluntary conservation programs for producers – the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) – will provide $332 million in financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and other private landowners who enroll acreage in conservation easements by May 15. In addition to protecting wildlife habitat and the ecological productivity of working lands, ACEP easements contribute to the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses, USDA said. Read more at Agri-Pulse…