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farmer landowner match brochure

Farmer landowner match program

Sign up for the
Match Program

The Farmer Landowner Match Program connects landowners looking to have their land farmed with farmers seeking land. The farm operations involved with these matches include meat, vegetables, and crops. As of December 2011, CLC has had 18 successful matches, farming on 500 acres of land.

SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS

  • Many landowners are interested in promoting agriculture and taking advantage of financial benefits.
  • Many farmers are searching for more land to work, yet the price of land is a major hurdle
  • CLC values farming because it provides open space, supports wildlife habitat, protects the environment, and conserves the rural character of the county.

LANDOWNER BENEFITS

If you are a landowner, you should really consider leasing to a farmer. Aside from the tax benefits, it’s a terrific sense of accomplishment that you are doing something to preserve good farmland.

DeWayne Powell, leases 46 acres to Threshold Farms
If you have open farmland that you do not use, having a farmer lease your land may benefit you, the farmer, and the community. A successful farmer match may provide:

  • Lower taxes due to the Agricultural Property Tax Assessment
  • Free or low cost upkeep of your land
  • Improved soil quality
  • Rental income
  • A share of the produce from your land
  • Good care of your land, and the satisfaction of putting it to good use

FARMER BENEFITS

Without CLC’s Farmer Landowner Match Program, we would most likely not have met Larry and Betti Steel, from whom we are leasing the 80 acres of vegetable field, pasture, and woodland.

Jen Carson, Great Song Farm

If you are looking for land to start or expand a farm operation, CLC may be able to help.

A successful lease may enable you to:

  • Find affordable land
  • Expand your operation, or establish yourself in the farming community
  • Lower your capital investment for start up and operating expenses
  • Share the risk and profit of farming with the landowner
  • Gain experience running a farm before purchasing one

LEASES

Once the match has been made, CLC will provide model leases to the parties and help identify important issues. The farmer and landowner will then work out the specific provisions of the lease together. We will identify important issues.

Important issues:

  • Form of payment
  • Long term vs. short term leases
  • Type of farming
  • Expenses
  • Termination agreement

JOIN OUR DATABASE

CLC has a database of landowners looking for farmers to use their land and farmers who are hoping to find land to lease. The database includes the desired crop(s) to be grown, location of the land, and other relevant information. If you are looking for land, or have land you would like farmed, contact contact Marissa Codey 518.392.5252 ext. 211, or fill out the application form.

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