Nontraditional Farmland Access Models & Tools
At Land Access Alliance, our vision is to gather land, share community, and restore trust by reimagining how land access can be equitable and inclusive. We understand that traditional land ownership and leasing models often perpetuate inequality, leaving many communities without the opportunity to participate fully in our local food system.
To address this, we are committed to implementing nontraditional methods of land access that prioritize social justice and support for historically marginalized groups. Our approach ensures that Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), women, and landless farmers have the chance to cultivate land, grow fresh, healthy food, and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable regional food system.
The success of nontraditional land access models depends on deep mutual trust and respect among growers, landowners, and community members. Cultivating these relationships is essential for forging sustainable and equitable opportunities that advance our collective goals. Here’s a look at some of the key nontraditional farmland access strategies we utilize:
Land Trusts
Land trusts are nonprofit organizations dedicated to conserving land for public benefit. By working with land trusts, farmers and foragers can secure access to land that might otherwise be unavailable. These trusts often acquire land through donations or purchases and then lease it to agricultural users under favorable terms. This arrangement not only protects land from development but also ensures it remains accessible for agricultural use.
Ground Lease
Ground leases are long-term rental agreements where a tenant rents the land for an extended period, often 20 years or more. This arrangement allows farmers and foragers to establish and grow their operations without the burden of land ownership. Ground leases can provide stability and predictability for both the landowner and the tenant, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
Easements
Conservation easements are legal agreements that limit certain land uses to protect its conservation values. For farmers and foragers, conservation easements can provide access to land while ensuring that it is preserved for agricultural use and not developed for other purposes. This approach helps maintain the land’s productivity and ecological health while offering a stable opportunity for agricultural activities.
Community Land Trusts
Community Land Trusts (CLTs) operate with a focus on community ownership and stewardship. CLTs acquire and manage land on behalf of a community, allowing individuals to lease or use land while the CLT retains ownership. This model supports long-term land security and affordability for farmers and foragers, and promotes sustainable land management practices that benefit the entire community.
Lease-to-Own
Lease-to-own agreements offer a pathway to land ownership by allowing tenants to lease land with the option to purchase it after a set period. This model can be particularly advantageous for individuals who are not yet in a position to buy land outright but wish to build equity and eventually own their farmland. Lease-to-own agreements often include a portion of the lease payments applied towards the purchase price, making the transition to ownership more attainable.
Shared-Use-Agreements
Shared-use agreements allow multiple users to access and share land resources, equipment, or facilities. This collaborative approach can reduce costs and increase access for small-scale farmers and foragers who may not have the resources to maintain their own equipment or infrastructure. Shared-use arrangements promote community and resource efficiency, benefiting all parties involved.