The documents listed below are meant to be used as a source of general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. A lease agreement is a contract that provides legally binding rights and remedies. These forms contain a variety of provisions that may have distinct results depending on the specific circumstances of a landlord-tenant relationship, the types of crops grown, the characteristics of the land and climate, the laws of the specific state, and other factors. Therefore, the forms are designed to be used and possibly altered in conjunction with the advice of independent legal counsel.
These leases are provided as examples of what is available and are not necessarily adequate in promoting a sustainable farm operation. In fact, while certain leases below are designed with conservation as a priority, others do not address conservation aspects at all. It is also important to recognize that the example leases with conservation or sustainaibility as a specific goal do not necessarily contain provisions applicable to all situations. These leases, however, do provide examples of provisions that can be used and are valuable as tools to promote thoughtful discussion and development of lease arrangements between landlord and tenant.
Conservation Oriented Leases
- Equity Trust, Inc: Model Agricultural Ground Lease with Commentary (99 year term)
- Land for Good: Sample Multi-Year Cash Lease Agreement (straight cash only)
- Tufts University, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project: Cash Lease Agreement; Corresponding Landowner Worksheet and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
National and Regional Leases
- Farm Service Agency: Cash Farm Lease (flexible provisions included) with provision explanations; Crop Share Lease.
- North Central Regional Cooperative Extension: Cash Farm Lease (flexible provisions included) and Crop Share or Crop Share/Cash Lease.
Pasture Leases
- North Central Regional Cooperative Extension: Pasture Lease
- Ohio State University: Sample Pasture Lease Agreement
- For more information on Management Intensive Grazing leases see Integrating Livestock.
State Extension Leases
These leases vary in regard to the degree of detail and the substance of the terms. Some are simple documents merely including the minimum provisions to form a lease contract, while others provide extensive coverage of farm lease issues, ranging from conservation provisions to dispute resolution.
It is also important to recognize that some of these leases are specifically adapted to the laws of a particular state or rely on state or local conservation and environmental regulations in certain provisions. While the leases may be altered for use in other states it is important to recognize and understand the variations in tenancy and environmental laws from state to state. Some of the relevant laws are examined further under “Tenancy Law.”
- University of Illinois Extension: Illinois Cash Farm Lease (flexible provisons included) and Illinois Crop Share Cash Farm Lease.
- Iowa State University Extension: Iowa Farm Lease (cash and crop share provisions included).
- University of Maryland Extension: Cash Lease of Farm Land, Buildings, and Equipment (straight cash rent only)
- New Mexico State University: Lease Agreement for Farms of New Mexico (straight cash and crop share options included).
- Purdue Extension: Indiana Cash Farm Lease Form (straight cash rent only).
- University of Tennessee Extension: Farm Lease Agreement with provision explanations (straight cash or crop share options included).
Impact of Iowa Sallee Case on Recreational Use Statute and landowner liability. Read more.
