Farming Agreements, Leases and Contracts

This page focuses on the agreement between the landowner and the farmer that guide the use of the land.

Leasing farmland involves a business agreement between the owner and tenant operator who rents the land.  A farm lease can be an effective tool that enables the successful transition of farmland from one generation to the next.  At its core, the written lease is designed and executed to provide a reference point between parties in a business arrangement (the use of farmland for income) so that the risk of disagreement will be minimized.

Sample Leases

Publications from Midwest Plan Service (free downloads)  Note:  These documents are samples only, and not drafted to the specifications of North Carolina Law.  They are intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered legal advice or used without the advice of an attorney.

Cash Farm Lease

Crop-Share or Crop-Share/Cash Farm Lease

Irrigation Crop-Share or Crop-Share/Cash Farm Lease

Pasture Lease

Farm Machinery, Building, or Equipment Lease

 

Related Articles

Adapting Crop Share Agreements for Sustainable and Organic Agriculture (Iowa State)

Considering Sustainable Agriculture on Your Rented Land (Iowa State)

Capital Leases (Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)

Farm Rental Agreement Checklist (Ohio State)

Developing Share Lease Agreements for Farmland (Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)

Developing Cash Lease Agreements for Farmland (Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)

Farm Rental Agreements (New Mexico State University Extension)

Tax Consequences:  Cash vs. Crop Share Leases (Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)

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