This guide is written to assist landowners in understanding their role as a landlord and a steward of the land, encourage open communication between landowner and tenant, and ultimately aid in the development of a lease agreement that is beneficial to the landowner, the farmer, the community, and the land.
You can download and print the Guide as a PDF, though viewing the Guide online is recommended in order to take advantage of the following features:
- Video commentary from legal and agricultural experts, landowners, and farmers;
- Links to additional information on conservation topics, such as floodplain management and farmland preservation;
- Links to more in-depth analysis of landlord-tenant laws and their relationship to sustainable farm practices;
- Definitions of tenancy and conservation terms and concepts;
- Links to other relevant websites and publications.
Introduction
- What You’ll Find in this Guide
- Obtaining Further Assistance
Chapter One: The Basics
- The Basics of Sustainability
- The Basics of Farm Leases
Chapter Two: Determining Priorities
- Importance of Prioritizing
- Questions to Ask Yourself
Chapter Three: Talking to Your Tenant
- Understanding Important Terms and Concepts
- Understanding the Tenant’s Perspective
- Social Dimensions of the Landlord-Tenant Relationship
- Finding the Right Tenant
- Keeping the Right Tenant
Chapter Four: Farm Leases, Sustainability, and the Law
- Contract Law
- Landlord-Tenant Law
- External Legal Considerations
- Incorporating Laws Into the Agreement
Chapter Five: Key Considerations for a Sustainable Farm Lease Agreement
- The Term
- Reimbursement for Improvements
- Cost-sharing
- Risk-sharing
- Conservation Provisions
- Communication
Chapter Six: A Few Additional Considerations
- Recreational Uses
- Ecosystem Services
- Agricultural and Conservation Easements
- Assisting a New Farmer
Written by: Ed Cox on August 4, 2010.
Last revised by: Matt RussellJanuary 8, 2016.