If you are planning to buy a farm or farmland, the sale of development rights to the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) may assist your efforts by making your purchase more affordable. VLT has played a critical role in the transfer of agricultural land to farmers throughout the state.

The Vermont Land Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving working land for the future of Vermont. Over the past 25 years VLT has conserved over 350 operating farms containing over 110,000 acres. Our farm projects are funded with grant money from foundations, local fund-raising, and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board matched by Federal funds. We work with Land Link Vermont, the Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets and other organizations to support new and existing agriculture.

The legal tool that is used to conserve a farm is called a conservation easement. It is recorded in the local land records, just like a deed. The easement allows agricultural and forestry uses, but permanently protects the land from development. It also contains restrictions on other uses such as mining and commercial activities. The landowner continues to own and manage the land, pay taxes on it, can sell it or pass along the farm to a family member. The permitted and prohibited uses are clearly spelled out in the easement.

Farm size and business enterprises vary from a small thriving vegetable operation close to town to a big dairy surrounded by other farms. VLT conserves all types. However, underlying all decisions is the question “How likely is this farmland to stay in production into the future?” Farms are evaluated on the following four criteria, listed in priority order: land and soil resource, location, farm infrastructure, and management.

About one third of VLT’s farm projects involve a transfer of ownership, with the sale of development rights lowering the sale price of the farm to an affordable level for a new farmer to cash flow the purchase of the farm. Most often these farm transfers are to family members, with an older generation selling the farm to younger relatives. However, VLT has completed many farm conservation projects where unrelated parties have purchased the conserved farm. In almost all these instances, the buyers have a strong background in agriculture, a viable business plan, and are able to obtain the financing necessary to buy the conserved farm and start up their operation.

Vermont Land Trust

8 Bailey Avenue

Montpelier, VT 05602

802-223-5234

1-800-639-1709