Working Lands Initiative

Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE)

The Working Lands Program establishes a new program to provide up to 50% of the cost of purchasing agricultural conservation easements, including transaction costs. Through the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) program, the state will provide funding to cooperating local governments or non-profit organizations to purchase easements from willing landowners. Land with an agricultural conservation easement cannot be developed for any purpose that would prevent its use for agriculture.

• Draft DATCP Agricultural Conservation Easement Agreement (9 page PDF)
• Draft PACE/FRPP Agricultural Conservation Easement Agreement (10 page PDF)

*Please note that this document is a draft easement and changes to this document may be made in the future. Agricultural conservation easements for individual properties participating in the PACE program may include different or additional provisions specific to the property.

Landowners may not apply for PACE funding directly. Instead, DATCP will work with cooperating entities to purchase permanent easements from willing landowners.

PACE Application Materials

The PACE program is not currently accepting applications.

Application Review and Selection

DATCP will evaluate eligible applications using established ranking criteria and through consultation with the PACE Advisory Council. An application that receives preliminary approval must provide additional information to the department before a grant contract can be signed.

• 2010 Selected PACE Projects
• 2010 Selected PACE Projects (map)

DATCP Guidance for Cooperating Entities

• General Guidance for Cooperating Entities
• Cooperating Entity Responsibilities
• Title Search Guidance
• Conflicting Property Interests in PACE Easements
• Transaction Cost Policies
• Easement Appraisal Report Guidelines
• Appraisal Instructions for Cooperating Entities

PACE Advisory Council

Click here to view materials from previous PACE Advisory Council meetings

For more information about the PACE program, please contact Lisa Schultz at (608) 224-4604 or LisaJ.Schultz@Wisconsin.gov.