Not necessarily — and this is one of the most common misconceptions we hear.

A conservation covenant allows you to remain the legal owner of your land while placing permanent protections on it that ensure it stays in agricultural use.

You decide what those protections look like, and they travel with the land through any future sale or transfer.

A full land donation is a different path that does transfer ownership, but it comes with significant charitable tax receipts and the assurance that your land will be stewarded according to the values you've spent a lifetime building.

We'll walk through every option with you so you understand exactly what each one means before you make any decisions.

Both options can offer meaningful tax advantages. A charitable donation of land or a donated conservation covenant may qualify for a charitable tax receipt based on the appraised value of the land or the value of the development rights being given up — which can be substantial.

In some cases these receipts can be applied over several years, significantly reducing your tax burden in retirement.

Every situation is different depending on your land's value, your income, and your estate plan, so we always recommend working through the specifics with your accountant or tax advisor — and we're happy to connect you with professionals who have experience in this area.

It's never too early — in fact, the earlier we talk, the more options you'll have.

Many of the farmers we work with spend a year or more simply exploring before they decide on a path forward, and that's completely normal.

Our first conversation is just that — a conversation. We want to understand your land, your family situation, your hopes for what comes next, and your timeline.

There's no pressure, no commitment, and no agenda other than helping you think it through clearly. Whenever you're ready to start that conversation, we're here.

Your wishes for the future of your land matter deeply to us, and we do everything we can to honor them.

While we cannot always guarantee a specific individual will farm your land in perpetuity, we work closely with you during the planning process to understand your vision — whether that's keeping it in your family, transitioning it to a young farmer, supporting a community farm, or ensuring it stays in a particular type of agricultural use.

Those wishes are documented and guide every decision we make about the land going forward. Many landowners find this part of the process the most meaningful — it's where your legacy really takes shape.

You're not alone — this is one of the most common and most emotionally complex situations retiring farmers face.

Family land carries history, memories, and sometimes competing visions for the future.

Our role is not to push any particular outcome but to help your family understand all the options clearly, so those conversations can happen from an informed place.

In some cases, a conservation covenant or legacy plan actually becomes the thing that brings a family together around a shared vision — because it centers the land's future rather than individual interests.

We're happy to meet with you and your family together, at whatever pace feels right.

We work with a range of farm sizes and types, and there's no rigid minimum requirement.

What matters most to us is that the land has genuine agricultural value — whether that's active crop production, pasture, market gardening, or mixed-use farmland with potential for food production.

Smaller parcels in areas facing development pressure can be just as important to protect as large acreages.

If you're unsure whether your property qualifies, the best first step is simply to reach out and have a conversation.

We'll be honest with you about what's possible and what options make the most sense for your particular situation.