Oklahoma’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) – Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) component. Applications submitted by March 27, 2020, will be considered for FY2020 funding.
NRCS will prioritize applications that protect, restore and enhance habitat for wildlife on their lands and reduce damage from flooding and recharge groundwater.
Land eligible for easements includes cropland, rangeland, grassland and pastureland land owned by private individuals or Native American Tribes. Wetland Reserve Easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity and provide opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities.
ACEP has two components, one for Agricultural Land Easements (ALE), and one for Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). Applications for both ALE and WRE are accepted on a continuous basis.
To apply for a Wetland Reserve Easement, landowners should contact their local NRCS field office, to be considered in the current batching period ending March 27, 2020.
Today there seems to be a resurging interest in local grains and heirloom grain varieties. When we think of wheat today, most envision large combines on the Great Plains or Pacific Northwest. People are waking up to the idea that grain crops used to be grown on small farms throughout the United States, outside of today’s commodity wheat production regions.
