Easement grants still available

SPOKANE VALLEY – USDA’s Natural Resource and Conservations Service in Washington is opening a second application batching period for the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program – Agricultural Land Easements. 

While applications for easements are taken on a continuous basis, the deadline to be considered for Fiscal Year 2024 second funding is March 11. 

NRCS Washington has more than $1 million remaining to allocate, officials said. The agency intends to retain those funds in Washington for farmland preservation.

The program provides cost-share financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing perpetual easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land, officials said. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agricultural production. 

The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including range, pasture and shrub land.  Eligible partners include American Indian tribes, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations that have farmland, rangeland or grassland protection programs.

For application information, email [email protected].