This guide, created by the National Young Farmers Coalition, provides information on an alternative method to accessing affordable farmland that you may not have considered -partnering with a land trust.
Find everything you need to know about:
- Developing strong partnerships between farmers, land trust staff, and service providers
- Land trusts and conservation easements
- Preparation and research recommended before partnering with a land trust
- Finding a local land trust and different ways of partnering with the organization
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Basics
- What is a land trust? Learn more about how land trusts are categorized, created, and managed as well as a brief history.
- Conservation easements on farms: Learn more about the benefits of conservation easements and what it entails to buy land with a conservation easement on it already. Conservation easements do involve restrictions and some protocols, but they also can make land more affordable because they typically prohibit residential or commercial development.
- Elements of an easement: Although there are restrictions to consider with easements, there are many rights that are still retained.
- Farmland conservation toolbox: Read through example conservation tools to learn which approach makes the most sense for you.
- What you should not expect from land trusts: Learn about the reasonable ways a land trust and its staff might be able to help you.
- Things to know about conservation easements: Understand and clarify ownership, exclusions, perpetuity, changes, and tax benefits before moving forward with a conservation easement.
- Things to consider before working with a land trust: Review this detailed checklist before working with a land trust to ensure a successful partnership.
- Building the Relationship
- Finding a land trust: Where to look when starting your search, what to look for, and what to expect in the process.
- Reaching out: Be prepared, organized, professional, and confident to make a good first impression to create a lasting relationship.
- Finding the right land: Understand the important questions to ask and find land that fits your needs now and for the future.
- Negotiation and Closing the Deal
- What will be involved? Working with a lawyer, you will be able to outline details and plans to best fit both parties.
- How long will the project take? There are many factors that can influence the timeline including preparation, funding, legal barriers, and liens/mortgages.
- How much will the project cost? The cost of the project will entail many factors around the cost of the land, transaction fees, and legal fees.
- What to expect in the future: The partnership you have with the land trust continues far beyond the initial negotiation process. It is important to outline communication preferences, stewardship monitoring visits, violations, and any on-farm programming that you need to take into consideration as you start farming on the conserved land.
Additional Resources
Reading the guide will provide the most in-depth information about Land Trusts but here are a few more links to help get you started.
Credits provided to the National Young Farmers Coalition and the Authors of this guide: Holly Rippon-Butler, Sophie Ackoff, Eric Hansen, and Lindsey Lusher Shute
