The U.S. Department of Agriculture has funding available to conserve agricultural lands and restore wetlands in Michigan through its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Applications for Agricultural Land Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements must be submitted by Oct. 4, 2024, to be considered for current year funding.

USDA matching funds for Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) are available to farmland preservation entities including local governments, American Indian tribes, and other eligible organizations. ALE funds are used for purchasing permanent easements that restrict enrolled land from being used for non-agricultural use. Funding is also available for Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) which the USDA purchases directly from landowners. WRE funding is used to purchase easements for agricultural lands that were formerly wetlands. The program also covers the cost of restoring wetland properties to former wetlands converted to agricultural use. WRE easements are typically permanent but long-term easements are offered.

Land enrolled in ALE easements are selected by the farm preservation organization receiving USDA funding. Landowners interested in enrolling land in ALE easements should contact the farmland preservation organization purchasing easements in their area. Farmers interested in enrolling land in WRE easements should contact their local USDA Service Center. Applications for WRE easements are selected competitively based on the project’s projected cost and conservation value.

Less productive farmland that is often difficult to farm due to wet conditions are a good candidate for enrollment in WRE. Restoring wetlands provides numerous conservation benefits including improving water quality, replenishing ground water, and improving wildlife habitat. Landowners maintain control of land enrolled in WRE easements, including controlling access, and are allowed to use the property for recreational use.

This funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program is available through the Inflation Reduction Act.