The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications in Montana for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which helps landowners, land trusts and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) delivers the largest long-term investment in NRCS conservation programs in decades, delivering over $34 billion through fiscal year 2031, including $4.05 billion for ACEP. This increase in funding ensures conservation remains rooted in agriculture, with benefits to producers, communities and natural resources.

While NRCS accepts ACEP applications year-round, Montana producers and landowners should apply by Nov. 30, 2026, to be considered for funding in the current cycle. Applications received after the application date will automatically be considered during the next funding cycle. Funding is provided through a competitive process.

“This valuable program helps maintain the agricultural viability of the land for future generations,” said NRCS Montana State Conservationist, Gayle Barry. “Montana’s agricultural lands are an essential part of the state’s identity and economic makeup. We must do all that we can to preserve them.” 

ACEP protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting non-agricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. ACEP protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, as well as protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.

ACEP enrollment options include:

• Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and Tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities (such as state and local governments) to protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.
• Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) help private and Tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.

To learn more, please see the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, or contact Justin Meissner, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, at justin.meissner@usda.gov or 406-587-6873.

Producers can also contact their local USDA Service Center.