The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Agricultural Conservation Easement Sponsorship (ACES) program, which provides a pathway for conservation districts to access WWRP Farmland Preservation funding through the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to permanently protect working farmland.
View the application and program details on the ACES webpage.
Application window: November 17 – February 2
On November 17, the Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP) hosted a one-hour webinar with program background and Q&A.
Watch the recording: 2026 ACES Launch Webinar
About the Program
Through authority in RCW 64.04.130 and RCW 89.10, SCC partners with conservation districts and willing landowners to pursue agricultural conservation easements that prevent conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses. Eligible properties must be primarily engaged in commercial agricultural or livestock production. SCC is the eligible WWRP applicant; conservation districts cannot apply directly.
Project Priorities
SCC prioritizes farmland that:
- Is expected to continue commercial production.
- Is supported by surrounding agricultural infrastructure and land uses.
- Faces risk of conversion without protection.
What to Expect
Easement projects require strong commitment from SCC, the conservation district, and the landowner. Districts must provide a dedicated staff lead and should anticipate some non-reimbursable staff time and overhead.
During the application process, districts gather all landowner and property information and SCC submits the final application in PRISM.
Interested in Sponsorship?
Districts with potential projects are encouraged to contact:
Paul D’Agnolo, OFP Specialist
pdagnolo@scc.wa.gov
564-669-0972
