The Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) just completed by George Rogers Clark Land Trust, with the assistance of Conservation Law Center, embodies the most noble characteristics of the ALE program and what this program can achieve beyond its stated goals. The NRCS goal realized is the protection of nearly 154 acres of prime farmland in furtherance of Harrison County’s Land Conservation Program, which aims to conserve agricultural land to maintain a long-term business environment for agriculture and protect the rural character of Harrison County. The aspirational goal realized is the fulfillment of a family’s wishes to see their farm permanently protected, which they have owned since 1813.
About Agricultural Land Easements
2025 is the 90th birthday of the NRCS. Set within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this agency was created during the Dust Bowl when policymakers realized the need for a permanent and nationwide approach to the conservation of natural resources.
On April 27, 1935 The Soil Conservation Act was signed into law. This established the Soil Conservation Service, the precursor to NRCS, whose purpose was to address the wastage of soil and water resources on farmland, grazing land, and forests.
The Soil Conservation Act promotes an interdisciplinary approach to conservation. The original act contemplates using scientific research to inform conservation programs and sets up a pathway to engage private landowners in conservation. The Soil Conservation Act also authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to use covenants to permanently protect private lands for the purpose of soil conservation. This is the origin of today’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
The modern iteration of the Agricultural Land Easement (ALE), a component of ACEP, was created in the 2014 Farm Bill for the purpose of protecting the future viability of farmland. The way this program is implemented in Indiana relies on a partnership between NRCS, a local land trust, and private landowners.
NRCS provides funds to eligible land trust organizations to pay private landowners for a portion of the value of a conservation easement that permanently protects the property’s agricultural use. The attorneys at Conservation Law Center represent the land trust and advise it on the necessary terms for the agricultural land easement.
