ACES Program

The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program

The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program, authorized by the Farm Bill, and implemented in USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices throughout the country, is a legislative older worker program for those 55 and older. ACES is a grants-based program administrated through an umbrella agreement and certified by the Department of Labor. ACES enrollees are generally part-time and supply technical assistance to the NRCS in their conservation operations. Enrollees receive a modest hourly wage and most are eligible for a benefits package that includes paid holidays, vacation, sick leave.

ACES – NRCS PORTAL
Watch the ACES Program Video

History of the The Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program

aces program

Congress authorized the creation of the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the US Department of Agriculture with the passage of the 2008 Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; PL 110-234). The Farm Bill established an experienced worker employment program (ages 55+) to provide technical assistance for USDA-NRCS conservation operations around the country. This program is based on a three-year ACES pilot project that NEW Solutions managed for NRCS.

The NEW Solutions ACES Program currently supports over 500 positions and is expected to grow in the years ahead. NRCS uses ACES in myriad ways: specific projects, workload surges, filling the need for technical assistance, succession planning, etc. Illustrative position titles include: Soil Conservation Specialist, Archaeologist, Engineer, Forester, Cultural Resources Specialist, etc.

NEW Solutions and NRCS Roles:  NEW Solutions is responsible for recruiting, enrolling, administering payroll and benefits, and handling any performance-related issues. NRCS is responsible for interviewing and selecting a preferred applicant, overseeing the day-to-day work of the enrollees, providing a safe work environment and any tools, equipment, or supplies, and working with NEW Solutions in resolving any issues.

What NRCS staff are saying about the ACES Enrollees:

  • “Enrollees know what needs to be done, they don’t need to be trained and closely monitored”
  • “They know the ropes and are work ready”
  • “They can be brought on for as long as they are needed”
  • “They help with the workload that federal staff are not always able to accomplish, for example following up with a farmer, writing conservation plans, etc.”
  • “They can work without concerns about reductions in their retirement benefits,” i.e. there is no dual compensation off-set from a federal annuity

What NEW Solutions Program Participants Say

“This job has given me an opportunity to reacquaint myself with the landowners I had worked with for over 30 years and to do what I always enjoyed doing to preserve our natural resources. I like my job and I think the program is good and very much needed”.
– ACES Enrollee, Pennsylvania
“Serving in this position has afforded me with a great opportunity to serve others – which has always been my calling. I am forever grateful for this opportunity”.
– ACES Enrollee, Mississippi
“The NRCS folks that I work with are top notch and it is a pleasure to be associated with them. The ACES program is a great opportunity for both the NRCS and the enrollee to complement each other in providing quality service and products to the public and other agencies that are served. Both the NRCS and the NEW Solutions staff have been exceptional in providing support for the program. I personally appreciate the opportunity to be involved”.
– ACES Enrollee, Idaho