Welcome to a toolbox of resources for farmers and landowners who are thinking about leasing land, or who want to improve their lease arrangement. Whether you’re a new or established farmer, leasing farmland is an effective way for you to gain affordable, flexible, and secure access to farmland and infrastructure. For private or institutional landowners, leasing land to a farmer using a well-designed agreement can be a “win-win” for you, the farmer, your land, and your community. Materials are most relevant to farming and farms in New England, but many may apply elsewhere.
Resources are organized by audience:
Farm Seekers – For current and prospective tenants Landowners – For current and prospective landlords (individuals or institutions, private or public) Farmers & Landowners – For both parties
Nuts and Bolts of Farmland Leasing. Webinar on farmland leasing basics by Land For Good, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, and Legal Services Food Hub.
Farm Access Methods. Decision guide that lays out an organized and practical way of assessing different land access methods, including leasing.
Farm Access Decision Tool. Companion chart to the Farm Access Methods guide that compares land access methods and partners for more informed decision making.
Lease Mediation. Worksheet with questions for farmers to consider when working toward quality, durable leases.
For Landowners
A Landowners Guide to Leasing Land for Farming. Comprehensive guide to for private, individual landowners that explains what’s involved in leasing farmland, including land assessment, determining rent, liability concerns, choosing a tenant, and much more.
Build-A-Lease Tool. A unique, interactive online tool that guides you through crafting a farm lease. It includes definitions, FAQs, detailed fact sheets, sample language and fill-in spaces for the most common sections of a farm lease. You can customize and save your work, and print it out to share with the other party and/or your attorney.
Farmland Tenure and Leasing. A chapter from “A Legal Guide to the Business of Farming”that lays out the legal considerations, provisions, responsibilities, and rights for both landowners and tenants. UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
Build-A-Lease Tool. A unique interactive online tool that guides you through crafting a farm lease. It includes definitions, FAQs, sample language and fill-in spaces for the most common sections of a farm lease. You can customize and save your work, and print it out to share with the other party and/or your attorney.
Cash Lease Template. Customizable lease template with blanks to fill-in. By California Farm Link
Farm Link Programs
Farm link programs connect farm seekers with farmland owners (farming and non-farming) interested in putting or keeping land in active farming. Each program has its own methods to post and search for properties – and many also offer technical assistance, education and resources. Read our FAQ on farm link programs. Below are resources specific to New England. Outside of New England, visit the directory of farm link programs in the Farmland Information Center at American Farmland Trust.
NewEnglandFarmlandFinder.org A free website to post or search for farm properties for sale or lease, covering all six New England states.
New England Farm Link Program Guide Explains the our farm link programs in New England (Vermont Land Link, Maine Farm Link, Connecticut Farm Link and New England Farmland Finder) – and what they offer.
New England Farm Link Collaborative A formal network of farm link programs that collaborates to build awareness, readiness and connections among farm seekers, farmers and landowners of all types in all New England states.