Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Farm Land Evaluation Checklist
A checklist for evaluating farmland before buying or renting. It guides a walk-through of soil, water, access, and improvements and records what you see. Use it alongside advice from local advisors.
ChecklistBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
What is on this checklist
- Soil condition and type
- Drainage and wet areas
- Water source and access
- Fences and gates
- Buildings condition
- Access road condition
- Weed and pest pressure
- Neighboring land uses
- Conservation features
How to use this checklist
Fill in the farm, date and your name, then walk the job with the sheet in hand. A habit of five minutes on this list tends to catch small problems early.
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 eXtension.
For more in this area, see the farm finance explained. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Farm Drones Land in FAA Paperwork, and agribusiness farm stories.