Land conservation tools like conservation easements can be used to generate additional farm income while protecting long-term farm viability.

Multimedia Resources

Conservation Easements as an Estate Planning Tool 
This website will guide you through a series of questions designed to help you learn more about conservation easements.  Although the website targets forest landowners, the questions can apply to all types of farm owners.

Conservation Technology Information Center
This website has a wealth of information on the relationship between agriculture and environmental conservation.  Helpful publications can be downloaded by clicking on the "learning center" tab.

National AgLaw Center Conservation Programs Reading Room
The National Agricultural Law Center recently posted two new web-based "reading rooms" to their website.  The conservation "reading room" contains links to all statutes authorizing agricultural conservation programs.

Sample Conservation Easements  This website contains sample versions of conservation easements that Conservation Trust for North Carolina has used in working with landowners. While every easement is unique to the property and landowner, these documents represent the typical framework.

Landowner Stories  Visit this website to read about North Carolina landowners who have successfully protected their property using conservation easements and other tools.

Related Articles

Farmland Preservation: Law and Economics

Is a conservation easement the right tool for my farm business?

Conservation Easements and Tax Planning

Purchase of Development Rights and Conservation Easements:  Frequently Asked Questions

Valuing Farmland Conservation Easements (University of Nebraska)

Links

The Open Space Protection Collaborative
OCPC is a joint effort of lower North Carolina piedmont land trusts to provide professionals with information on land protection through conservation easements.

Conservation Trust for North Carolina publications CTNC has a variety of publications that can assist landowners in making more informed decisions about the future of their land.  Click on the link above to access and/or order these publications.