This is a model agricultural conservation easement developed by American Farmland Trust (AFT). In addition to standard agricultural conservation easement terms, this model contains provisions that:

• provide the land trust with a preemptive right to purchase the property at its agricultural value when specified conditions are met;
• require an agricultural practices management plan to be developed to guide the management of the property to enhance soil health, water efficiency, air quality, biodiversity, climate resiliency, and other conservation goals, encouraging a holistic, systems approach to agricultural production; and
• require using the property for productive agricultural uses.

AFT does not use this model for all agricultural easement projects. These easement provisions may differ based on jurisdictional requirements or to reflect individual project details, including landowner or funder objectives and individual property characteristics.

An alternate set of agricultural practices management plan easement excerpts are included separately, which guide the management of the property without affirmative farming requirements. A sample plan framework is also included below.