The Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) is proud to partner with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon (NRCS-OR). NRCS administers the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program-Entity Held Easements (RCPP-EHE). Through these programs, eligible entities (land trusts, Tribes, SWCDs, and more) with farmland, rangeland, or grassland protection programs can apply for funding to purchase conservation easements on eligible working lands.
With government services resumed, COLT is excited to share resources to help applicants prepare for the 2026 application cycle and navigate the programs successfully. The information below primarily describes the ACEP-ALE program though is also relevant for the RCPP-EHE program. If applicants have any questions, COLT is here to help! Matt Penberthy, Agricultural Land Easement Program Coordinator, is available and can connect you with information or NRCS staff who can assist you.
The webinar recording below covers the following:
- Program basics and FY26 information
- Eligibility – entity, land, and landowner
- Ranking criteria overview
- Submitting an application
- Process overview
Watch the full workshop!
Funding will soon be available to Oregon’s farmers and ranchers through the ACEP-ALE program. ACEP-ALE provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing perpetual easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land.
More information about ACEP-ALE is available on the NRCS Oregon webpage. Funding announcements and updated application materials will be posted soon.
For general questions about ACEP-ALE, please contact NRCS.OR.Easements@usda.gov. Interested landowners may also get in touch with their local USDA Service Center.
Click here to view the ACEP-ALE Timeline Guide
In a 2024 survey, COLT members identified a need to develop a stronger understanding of the program timeline and expectations. The ACEP-ALE Timeline Guide is now available to walk you through the program with confidence!
COLT’s ACEP-ALE Timeline Guide covers the program timeline from pre-application through obligation, which can span roughly 18 months. It may be useful for eligible entities to align their outreach and acquisition timeline with the Guide. Doing so can help streamline the application process.
This Guide is intended for Oregon entity applicants (Tribes, Land Trusts, SWCDs, etc) of the ACEP-ALE Program. Awarded RCPP Projects with an executed Programmatic Partnership Agreement that have Entity Held Easements may also use this Guide as a resource. If you are a landowner interested in the ACEP-ALE Program, please contact their local USDA Service Center or NRCS.OR.Easements@usda.gov for assistance.
COLT’s Agricultural Land Easement Program Coordinator, Matt Penberthy, hosted a webinar about the Guide as well. The recorded webinar and presentation slides are available on COLT’s website. Should you have any questions about either of these resources, please contact: matt@oregonlandtrusts.org
