Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Farm Environmental Assessment Checklist
A checklist for an environmental assessment of a farm. It helps buyers and owners look at land history, water, and waste issues before a purchase or project.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
ChecklistBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
What is on this checklist
- Land use history
- Past chemical storage
- Fuel tanks present
- Dump areas or debris
- Well and water condition
- Wetlands and streams
- Waste and manure handling
- Neighboring land concerns
- Professional assessment needed
How to use this checklist
Work down the list in the same order each time so nothing gets skipped. Anything marked FIX should be handled before the job starts and written down.
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 USDA.
For more in this area, see the Farm Money and Grants. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Farm Accidents Aren’t Fun, and agribusiness farm stories.