The conservation practices, leasing considerations and sample lease provisions below are not exhaustive but rather provide an overview of how farmers and landowners can use a lease to encourage these practices. Lease terms should be simple and document the parties’ points of agreement on issues such as how a practice will be installed, utilized, and maintained. Farmers and landowners should change the lease provision to fit each individual situation. For more information, view our full Agricultural Conservation Leasing Guide.
Conservation Practices
Diversions, grassed waterways, and terraces
structures that can improve water flow through land, reduce erosion and formation of gullies on slopes, and allow for better crop growth on bottomland soils.
Cover Crops
Reduce wind and water erosion, preserve or improve soil health, use excess nutrients that could otherwise pollute waterways, and suppress weeds or pests
Riparian Forest Buffer
Trees, shrubs or grasses planted next to waterways filter runoff, improve water quality, protect against erosion and provide wildlife habitat.
Critical Area Planting
Planting grass or other vegetation to protect a severely eroding area from soil erosion.