U.S. to spend $328 million on conservation easements

[Chris Merkord]

The USDA will buy conservation easements from farmers to protect the environment, help wildlife populations and promote outdoor recreation. (Photo: AP)

Associated Press, MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $328 million in funding Monday to protect and restore farmlands, grasslands and wetlands across the country.

 

The initiative, using money provided in the new five-year farm bill, will buy conservation easements from farmers to protect the environment, help wildlife populations and promote outdoor recreation, the USDA said in its announcement. The agency selected 380 projects nationwide covering 32,000 acres of prime farmland, 45,000 acres of grasslands and 52,000 acres of wetlands.

 

Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2014/09/08/usda-spend-three-hundred-twenty-eight-million-conservation-easements/15312793/