The Farmland Information Center, in partnership with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, created the ACEP-ALE Toolkit, a comprehensive collection of resources and tools to help you navigate the process of participating in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). Below you will find links to resources for landowners and land trusts and public farmland protection programs (entities).
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ACEP-ALE Toolkit
ACEP-ALE for Entities
Land trusts and public farmland protection programs can learn how to successfully participate in the Agricultural Land Easement component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Our informative webpages include fact sheets, videos, annotated checklists, and more, and help walk you through each phase of program participation through acquisition.
Learn moreACEP-ALE for Landowners
Landowners interested in participating in the Agricultural Land Easement component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program can learn about the program, and use our resources, including fact sheets, videos, annotated checklists to help them through each phase of program participation through acquisition.
Learn moreTop Resources
A sampling of resources and tools from the collection.
NRCS ACEP Guidance
NRCS periodically releases national instructions and bulletins to clarify program implementation. The ACEP Program Manual, updated March 2026, has integrated much of this guidance. See the resources below, and consult with your state ACEP-ALE program manager for more information.
NB 440-26-14
This bulletin announces the national application batching deadline for FY2027.
View BulletinNB 440-26-14
This bulletin announces the national application batching deadline for FY2027.
View BulletinNB 300-26-17
This bulletin announces the second national application funding round for ACEP-ALE in FY2026.
View BulletinNB 300-26-17
This bulletin announces the second national application funding round for ACEP-ALE in FY2026.
View BulletinNB 440-26-9
This bulletin announces updates to policies establishing legal access to US-held and Entity-Held Easements.
View BulletinNB 440-26-9
This bulletin announces updates to policies establishing legal access to US-held and Entity-Held Easements.
View BulletinNB 440-26-10
This national bulletin announces the update to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Program manual.
View BulletinNB 440-26-10
This national bulletin announces the update to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Program manual.
View BulletinNB 300-26-13
This national bulletin describes updates made to the landowner eligibility matrix and provides guidance related to the AGI filing status needed at key steps in the acquisition process.
View BulletinNB 300-26-13
This national bulletin describes updates made to the landowner eligibility matrix and provides guidance related to the AGI filing status needed at key steps in the acquisition process.
View BulletinNB 300-26-4
This national bulletin explains which programs and services are supported by the Easement Acquisition Branch (EAB) and provides deadlines for states to request EAB services.
View BulletinNB 300-26-4
This national bulletin explains which programs and services are supported by the Easement Acquisition Branch (EAB) and provides deadlines for states to request EAB services.
View BulletinNB 300-26-1
This national bulletin provides states with initial FY26 timelines and guidance for administering ACEP-ALE applications.
View BulletinNB 300-26-1
This national bulletin provides states with initial FY26 timelines and guidance for administering ACEP-ALE applications.
View BulletinNB 440-25-7
This national bulletin provides guidance to NRCS state staff to clarify the documents required for a complete ACEP-ALE parcel application.
View BulletinNB 440-25-7
This national bulletin provides guidance to NRCS state staff to clarify the documents required for a complete ACEP-ALE parcel application.
View BulletinNB 300-24-27
This national bulletin announces the publication of updated easement appraisal and appraisal review policy.
View BulletinNB 300-24-27
This national bulletin announces the publication of updated easement appraisal and appraisal review policy.
View BulletinNB 300-24-12
This national bulletin notifies staff of changes to the Easement Common Provisions policy clarifying guidance for land ownership and providing considerations for unique land ownership scenarios.
View BulletinNB 300-24-12
This national bulletin notifies staff of changes to the Easement Common Provisions policy clarifying guidance for land ownership and providing considerations for unique land ownership scenarios.
View BulletinNB 300-23-26 LTP
This National Bulletin provides new guidance for increasing the national appraisal review threshold for ACEP-ALE from $1 million to $3 million.
View National BulletinNB 300-23-26 LTP
This National Bulletin provides new guidance for increasing the national appraisal review threshold for ACEP-ALE from $1 million to $3 million.
View National BulletinUnique Entity Identifiers
The U.S. General Services Administration released an update informing entities that the DUNS Number has been replaced with a Unique Entity Identifier in SAM.
View GSA UpdateUnique Entity Identifiers
The U.S. General Services Administration released an update informing entities that the DUNS Number has been replaced with a Unique Entity Identifier in SAM.
View GSA UpdateNI 300-306
This National Instruction provides updated information about program agreements and parcel contracts.
View National InstructionNI 300-306
This National Instruction provides updated information about program agreements and parcel contracts.
View National InstructionNI 300-308
This National Instruction provides guidance on ACEP-ALE buy-protect-sell transactions.
View National InstructionNI 300-308
This National Instruction provides guidance on ACEP-ALE buy-protect-sell transactions.
View National InstructionNI 440-314
This National Instruction provides state NRCS staff with guidance for average adjusted gross income (AGI) waivers.
View National InstructionNI 440-314
This National Instruction provides state NRCS staff with guidance for average adjusted gross income (AGI) waivers.
View National Instruction