Conservation practices are not commonly used on leased land for a variety of reasons, including inadequate communication between landowners and farmers, limited understanding of conservation programs and available cost-share funding, and a lack of security in the rental relationship. The obstacles to implementing farm conservation practices on leased land can be addressed by opening communication channels and using simple leasing strategies.
This publication is meant to help farmers and landowners use leases as a tool to not only protect their business interests but also implement stewardship planning and conservation practices on leased land. Many conservation programs described in this guide are accompanied by suggested considerations and/or sample lease provisions to show how they might be incorporated into a lease.
No part of this guide, however, should be viewed as legal advice. There is no substitute for seeking the legal advice of an experienced attorney. A good resource for finding a qualified Maryland lawyer is the Legal Services Directory of the Agriculture Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, available at umaglaw.org
Agricultural Conservation Leasing Guide
