Landowner benefits can take the form of Federal and State Income Tax benefits, tax deductions, reduced Estate Tax liability and in some cases, property tax advantages.
The Ag Land Trust can help you with preservation of your land through conservation easements and outright purchase:

Conservation Easements
What does the conservation easement do?
In a conservation easement, the right to develop a property (for example, into a residential subdivision) is restricted and a perpetual conservation easement is recorded on the property. The property owner retains ownership and the right to farm as usual.

As a landowner, what do I get?
An easement's value is determined by an independent appraiser. Once the value of the easement is determined, the Ag Land Trust enters into discussion with the landowner regarding the funding and purchase of the easement. An easement does not dictate the type of agricultural operation that takes place on a piece of property, and does not diminish the property owners' privacy or control.


Outright Purchase
In some instances Ag Land Trust has purchased ownership of a property outright from a landowner. After placing an easement on the property, we lease the property to a farmer, maintaining and improving the agricultural productivity of the land.

Don't Hesitate to Call!

If you are interested in discussing either an easement or outright purchase, or if you have any other questions about the Ag Land Trust, give us a call. We'd be happy to talk with you. All inquires are kept strictly confidential.

 

 

         
 

NEW INCREASED BENEFITS!

The Federal Tax Incentive for conservation easement donation has been extended through the end of 2009. The incentive:

  • Raises the deduction a donor can take for donation an easement from 30 to 50 percent of his/her income;
  • Allows qualifying farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100 percent of their income;
  • Extends the carry-forward on the deduction from 5 to 15 years, potentially allowing a farmer to take a 100% tax deduction for 15 years.                         

These benefits apply to easements donated through the end of 2009.

For the latest information on this topic, please see

www.lta.org/policy/tax-policy

Senate Bill introducted to make easment donation benefits permanent: Click Here.