Farmland Seeker Toolkit
Easements
An easement is a long-term, voluntary agreement attached to a land parcel that outlines the agreed-upon activities/uses that are permitted or prohibited on the land. Easements are frequently used to ensure land retention for conservation and agricultural purposes.
As a land seeker, you may be interested in agricultural conservation easements because:
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They help make land more affordable. Restricting development rights decreases the value of the land (and likely, the amount of property taxes owed). Additionally, you may be able to get tax deductions or credits at the federal and/or state level.
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The land you are considering may have an easement on it already. In this case, it’s important to understand the agreement and its implications (who holds it, how they enforce it, and whether it will allow you to carry out the activities necessary to reach your farming goals).
For more in-depth information about easements, check the following resources.
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Materials
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Agricultural Conservation Easements (American Farmland Trust)
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Buy-Protect-Sell (American Farmland Trust)
Programs