Arkansas Farm Bill Program Offers up to $350 Million to Protect and Restore Wetlands and Farmlands

By Vanessa Torres

Arkansas -(Ammoland.com)- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the availability of $350 million to help landowners protect and restore key wetlands, grasslands and farmlands across the nation.

The funding comes from the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, created by the 2014 Farm Bill.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the program, which combines the interests of food suppliers and wildlife managers to protect critical water resources and wildlife habitat, and encourage private owners to maintain land for farming and ranching. Through voluntary easement sales, landowners can limit future development to protect these key resources.

“The benefits of restoring, enhancing and protecting these working agricultural lands and critical wetlands cannot be overstated,” Vilsack said. “USDA is committed to preserving working agricultural lands to help protect the long-term viability of farming across the country as well as to restoring and protecting vital sensitive wetlands that provide important wildlife habitat and improve water quality.”

Applications for ACEP may be submitted at any time to the NRCS, but applications for the current funding round must be …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand