NRCS Montana: New Report Shows Economic Value of Farm Bill Conservation Easements

Working for Montana Agriculture

Economic Benefits of Conservation Easements for Montana's Farms, Ranches, and Communities

This new publication is a partnership among the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Montana Association of Land Trusts, and the Heart of the Rockies Initiative. The report analyzes the economic impact of conservation easements in Montana. In particular, the Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) program which was created in the 2014 Farm Bill and is designed for farmers and ranchers to work with the NRCS and land trusts across the country to conserve farm and ranch lands, strengthen America’s food production, and protect wildlife habitat through voluntary conservation easements. A conservation easement is a private property right utilized by a landowner that typically restricts development of the land but maintains almost all agricultural management options and opportunities. The report shows:

• Between 2014 and 2021 the NRCS, farm and ranch families, and land trusts (or state agency) teamed up to invest $109 million from the Farm Bill ALE program to conserve 289,000 acres of ag lands in 22 Montana counties.
• Every ALE Farm Bill dollar allocated to farm and ranch conservation yielded $1.89 of economic activity, nearly doubling the positive impact of the Farm Bill funding.
• 95% of the allocated funds were used to directly assist with farm and ranch agricultural operations and expansion, farm and ranch family succession planning, business strength and stability, and direct purchase of farm and ranch equipment.
• These dollars produced a total economic impact of $182 million for Montana’s economy, supported 1,057 local jobs and $41.5 million in labor income, and contributed $99 million to Montana’s Gross Domestic Product.

Find the full report on the Montana Association of Land Trusts, Heart of the Rockies Initiative, or NRCS websites.

 

Natural Resources Conservation Service Montana 10 E Babcock St Rm 443 Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: 406-587-6811 Fax: 855-510-7028 Web: www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov State Conservationist Tom Watson