|
|
|
|
 |
 Agricultural Easements
Since our founding, MFT has played a key role in securing agricultural easements on 92 farms that are now permanently protected.
An agricultural easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a non-profit land trust which permanently restricts use of the land to agricultural production.
MFT preserves farmland through both accepting donated easements and purchased easements.
Buy/Protect/Sell Program
Through MFT’s Buy/Protect/Sell program, a farm is purchased, permanently preserved through an easement, then sold to a farmer at its “farmland value.”
Often the land is bought by an experienced farmer identified through the FarmLink program. Other deals are designed to support existing farmers who are looking to secure land they currently lease or to find new land so they can expand.
FarmLink
Maine FarmLink connects farmers seeking farmland with retiring farmers and other farmland owners who wish to see their lands remain in agriculture.
Prospective farmers are linked to those looking to sell or lease their farms, based on their respective interests,needs, and goals. Once a link is established, the program guides participants through the transfer process.
FarmLink has completed 55 links on more than 4,900 acres of land. That’s 4,900 acres that will likely be farmed for at least another generation.
Farm Viability
The newly launched Farm Viability Program will support farmers’ efforts to initiate new operations, reach new markets, or take other steps to enhance future success. MFT will draw on a diverse network of
agricultural experts and resources to help participating farmers.
In exchange for these services, farmers will make a commitment to protect their land through one or more of the following practices, including grant "term easements" to MFT of 10 years or more, long-term leases with rights of first refusal to MFT or farmers in the community, and other custom tailored arrangements intended to keep farmland protected.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|