Catch up on NRCS updates
iAs you gear up for the year, be sure to check out some upcoming opportunities to learn the ins and outs of the Agricultural Land Easement Program.
Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the ALE program provides technical and financial assistance to help protect working farms and ranches, including grassland, rangeland, pastureland and shrubland. Working with land trusts, landowners and other entities, NRCS's goal is to keep working lands in working hands.
Starting next month, you can join the Land Trust Alliance and NRCS for three complimentary webinars that will help explain different aspects of the ALE program. Each webinar will provide information on program tools and how land trusts help landowners conserve their land. Check out the first two below — and click on the title to register.
Program Agreements + ALE Updates (Feb. 9)
NRCS is the single largest funder of private land conservation in the world, but learning to navigate the funding process can be challenging. We're here to demystify the process and provide updates on what's new in 2021. Join NRCS staff as they provide an overview of the Final Rule, the Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool and what you need to know about program agreements. For land trusts that use NRCS funds or need federal dollars, this is a must-see webinar.
NRCS and Buy-Protect-Sell (March 11)
So-called "buy-protect-sell" projects are a great way that land trusts can use NRCS funds to conserve land while making it economically viable for a beginning farmer or rancher to get into the business. Land trusts need to understand how to use this important tool to conserve farms and ranches. Join NRCS staff as they explain the finer points of "buy-protect-sell" projects.
Also, mark your calendar now for our next NRCS webinar on May 18. More information about that event is forthcoming. In the meantime, don't forget to register for the above webinars by clicking the title!
Nikki Nesbary is manager of NRCS programs for the Land Trust Alliance.