Farmer landowner match program
The Farmer Landowner Match Program connects landowners seeking to have their land farmed with farmers seeking land. The farm operations involved with these matches include meat, vegetables, and crops. As of June 2012, CLC has had 25 successful matches, farming on over 1,000 acres of land, including Great Song Farm and Sparrowbush Farm.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS?
Often, farmers are searching for more land to work yet the price of land is a major hurdle. The Farmer Landowner Match Program removes that hurdle. At the same time, it enables landowners to promote agriculture and, in some cases, reap financial benefits as well.
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
- The satisfaction of putting your land to good use
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.
- 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 ASSISTANCE
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 help identify important issues, such as:
- Form of payment
- Long term vs. short term leases
- Type of farming
- Expenses
- Termination agreement
Match Lists, Application, and Brochure
- Farmer Landowner Match Brochure
- Farmer Landowner Match Application or online
- Farmers Database – CLC listings of Farmers in Farmer Landowner Match Program
- Landowner Database – CLC listings of Landowners in Farmer Landowner Match Program
- 2010 Down to Earth Lease Workshop (more on Down to Earth)
More Information
If you are looking for land, or have land you would like farmed, contact Marissa Codey 518.392.5252 ext. 211.
