WASHINGTON, D.C.—The  Forest Service is pleased to continue nationally implementing its Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services program, which was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and amended in 2018. It provides the agency a cost-effective and efficient tool for completing temporary projects. Through agreements, the ACES program allows experienced non-federal individuals (age 55 or older) with “ready to apply” knowledge to assist with technical and administrative aspects of conservation-related programs. All projects must be executed on or directly impacting National Forest System land and meet non-displacement criteria. Services include assistance to complete temporary work or to provide mentoring and training support.

In 2017, the Forest Service piloted ACES with a focus in forest management and an initial $1 million investment from the Washington Office to jump-start program utilization. Based on the success of the pilot program, it was expanded in early 2018. This includes the signing of two five-year master agreements that expire early 2023 that allowed the expansion of ACES to all eligible program areas. The expansion encouraged translated to accomplishing more valuable work.

The ACES program has proven to successfully help expand the agency’s capacity to complete conservation-related work. To date, over 100 supplemental project agreements have been executed and funded by each requesting unit. Hundreds of enrollees are currently completing projects for various programs at the Washington Office, Job Corps, research stations, Forest Products Lab and units across the nation. The program now has a full-time ACES national program manager and each region/station/area has identified an ACES coordinator.

The ACES program is available to provide temporary support, while minimizing agency administrative costs, time and resources. Units on all levels across the Forest Service can create supplemental project agreements for projects. To start an ACES project, visit the ACES SharePoint Site (internal link) to identify your ACES coordinator and receive guidance, local deadlines and resources. The site includes helpful ACES awareness tools, such as the ACES directive, a how to guide and a frequently asked questions document.

The two nonprofit partners include the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Inc. and the National Older Worker Career Center. The agency obtains paid assistance from the partners’ program participants, called ACES enrollees. The nonprofit partners handle advertising, recruiting, application and hiring process, onboarding, payroll and more. Applicants are not required to be former federal employees, but they may be. To learn more about the nonprofit partners or to apply for ACES enrollee positions, visit the National Older Worker Career Center or the Center for Workforce Inclusion.

Contact the ACES national program manager at SM.FS.ACES@usda.gov.