The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced an additional application opportunity for fiscal year 2023 funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which includes special emphasis projects through NRCS partnerships with the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Private landowners or entities are encouraged to apply by Friday, February 10, 2023.

ACEP-Wetland Reserve Easements can be enrolled as 30-year or perpetual, based on the landowner(s) desired management for the offered property. Thiry-year easements are valued at 25 percent less than perpetual easements and landowners are responsible for 25 percent of restoration costs whereas perpetual easements are eligible for a 100 percent restoration cost-share.  Alternatively, landowners have the option to offer their property at a reduced purchase and/or restoration cost to improve application ranking.

ACEP-Agricultural Land Easements are enrolled for perpetuity to protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Applications for the ACEP-Agricultural Land Easement will only be accepted from eligible sponsoring entities, not individual landowners. Eligible entities include State or local units of government, Indian Tribes, or nongovernmental organizations, such as a conservancy or a land trust.

Through ACEP-Agricultural Land Easement, NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing agricultural easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers keep their land in agriculture.

Applications received after the designated cutoff date of Friday, February 10, will be considered in the next program year or in subsequent application periods, if announced. If a landowner is applying for ACEP on multiple parcels of land, any non-contiguous parcels must be submitted as separate applications. Contiguous multiple parcels may be submitted as one application, provided the ownership is identical for each parcel.

Entities and landowners interested in applying for ACEP-WRE funding ON MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TN land should visit the NRCS ACEP webpage or contact our office, 931-368-0252 x 3.

Contact Robert Boettcher, robert.boettcher@usda.gov or 615-277-2576, for more information about the ACEP program in Tennessee.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Scott Donnellan, President Downtown Kiwanis, Johnny Head, Chairman MCSWCD, Carolyn Riggins, Hilldale Kiwanis receive Proclamation by Mayor Golden.

The Montgomery Co. Soil & Water Conservation District together with the Downtown Kiwanis and Hilldale Kiwanis Clubs of Clarksville, hosted their 67^th Annual Conservation Awards & Farm-City Banquet on November 14^th .  Each year the District, Downtown Kiwanis, Hilldale Kiwanis, Montgomery Co. Farm Bureau, Montgomery Co. Conservation Club, and the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce recognize those who have shown exceptional efforts in conservation and agriculture, conservation education, and agricultural educational contests for students in Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Conservation District Chairman, Johnny Head and Kiwanis Club Agriculture Committee Chair, Chris Lanier, opened the program welcoming a full crowd for the first time 2 years.

Boge Quinn and Tay Joslin

County Mayor Wes Golden issued a Proclamation for Nov. 14-21^st , as Conservation & Farm City Week.  The proclamation honors “those that have made outstanding contributions to conservation and agriculture in our community.” A special guest appearance and comments were made by John Womack, USDA-NRCS Acting State Conservationist. Entertainment was provided by Tay Joslin and Boge Quinn before the meal catered by Lisa Morrison Catering.

The 2022 Award Recipients in the following categories are:

MASTER CONSERVATIONIST AWARD

Doyle Moore, Jr and family

John Peck, F&M Bank presenting to Doyle Moore, Jr.

CONSERVATION PROGRESS AWARD

Steve Kemmer, Legends Bank presenting to Mark Luttrull

OUTSTANDING FARM FAMILY

Mike Rainey, Chamber of Commerce presenting to John R. Mimms (Juanita Mimms Family)

CONSERVATION EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Carolyn Riggins, President, Hilldale Kiwanis Club presenting to Tommy Badon

1st PLACE FFA LAND JUDGING AWARD

MONTGOMERY CENTRAL HIGH FFA presented by Johnny Head, Chairman, Montgomery Farm Bureau

2nd PLACE FFA LAND JUDGING AWARD

CLARKSVILLE HIGH FFA presented by Cody Greene, Nutrien

HIGHEST SCORER LAND JUDGING

Johnny Head presenting to PAUL HERNDON

1st PLACE WILDLIFE PLOT CONTEST

Scott Donnellan, President, Downtown Kiwanis presenting to LISA WHITE, MONTGOMERY 4-H

NO-TILL AWARD

TIMOTHY HEAD, No-till tobacco award

LESTER SOLOMON CONSERVATION AWARD

MELISSA, JACE & TOMMY ROGERS sponsored by the Montgomery County Conservation Club

We are grateful to those that have continually supported this banquet, so that we may encourage and honor the efforts of our 4-H and FFA students and farmers in Montgomery County! Without you, this would not be possible!

Paul McKinney, Treasurer, MCSWCD – Will Sanders, Planters Bank – Steve Kemmer, Legends Bank – John Peck, F&M Bank – Daniel McCaslin, Cumberland Bank & Trust – Michael Lankford, Farm Credit – Chris Lanier, Kiwanis Ag Committee Chair presenting

For additional pictures please visit us on facebook @MCSCD.

The programs and services of the Conservation District are offered and are available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national, origin, age, sex religion, marital status, or handicap.

Please visit the new NRCS Tennessee website here for more information about soil health, no till, and other conservation concerns.  For conservation practices that address soil health and water quality, please contact our office, 931-368-0252 x 3.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Applicants who would like to implement conservation ‘smart’ practices on their farmland in Montgomery County have until Friday, November 18, 2022 to submit an application for funding.  The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Applications received in our office by the deadline above will be considered for funding in 2023.  As Sheldon Hightower, Tennessee NRCS State Conservationist noted, “EQIP places a priority on water quality, water conservation, and promotes soil health practices, by offering financial and technical assistance to address these resource concerns on eligible agricultural land.”

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EQIP is an incentives-based program that provides technical and financial assistance for conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system efficiency improvements, fencing, and water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian protection, wildlife habitat enhancement, and cover crops for soil resource protection.

For more details on applying for this program, contact our office at 931-368-0252 x 3 or visit the office of the Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Applications can also be found HERE.  RETURN ALL FORMS TO:  nancyl.holt@usda.gov