Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Farm Conservation Easement Guide
A guide to conservation easements for farmland owners. It explains the basic idea and lists questions to ask land trusts, agencies, and attorneys. Fill it out in pencil so it is easy to update.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
The steps on this page
- What an easement is
- Who holds easements
- Your reasons for considering one
- Land value and tax questions
- Effect on farming and sale
- Effect on heirs
- Ask about stewardship duties
- Find an attorney and tax adviser
- Compare programs offered
How to use this guide
Read the steps once through before you start, then keep the page nearby while you work. Use the notes lines to add what your own setup needs.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with USDA NRCS and IRS.
For more in this area, see the farm money and loan guides. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Fancy on the Farm Just Fails, and agribusiness farm stories.