ID Agricultural Conservation Easement Program: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE)

The grant program, managed by NRCS, offers financial assistance to eligible partners for the acquisition of perpetual Agricultural Land Easements, aimed at protecting the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible lands. It focuses on helping farmers and ranchers keep their working farms by supporting the conservation of grassland, rangeland, pastureland, and shrubland. The program targets a variety of partners, including American Indian tribes, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations with established land protection programs. Financial contribution from NRCS can go up to 50% of the agricultural land easement's fair market value, and in cases where grasslands of special environmental significance are conserved, up to 75%. The Working Lands for Wildlife component underlines the support for grazing operations, biodiversity maintenance and improvement, and the protection of lands from non-grazing uses like urban development, emphasizing the survival of species like the Sage Grouse through intact range conservation.