For Farmers

Our mission is to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world.  Day in and day out, we are focused on and committed to helping California farmers ensure their farms will be farms, forever.  If you are a California farmer interested in protecting your property, read on to learn how we can help.

Agricultural Conservation Easements

The mechanism we use to protect farms is called an Agricultural Conservation Easement.  Placing an easement on your farm is an effective way to ensure your farm remains a farm, forever.  When an easement is enacted, the landowner essentially either sells or donates the right to develop the land to the California Farmland Trust, which cannot exercise that right.  The result is a property that cannot be developed, and must always be used for agriculture.  Putting an easement on a property is entirely voluntary, but once one is in place it is permanent.

No two agricultural conservation easements are the same.  Each is tailored to the desires of the landowner, the interests of the land trust, and the unique characteristics of the land.  The landowner retains ownership and use of the property; the California Farmland Trust is not involved in daily operations of your farm.

There are many benefits to placing an Agricultural Conservation Easement on your farmland.  An easement can provide:

  • The peace of mind that comes with knowing your family farm will remain a farm, forever.
  • A way to keep the family farm intact through inheritances or other ownership changes.
  • An infusion of cash for farming operations, debt reduction, or other uses.
  • A potential reduction in property and estate taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the property when an easement is in place?

The original landowner, you, retain ownership of your property when an easement is placed.  The California Farmland Trust does not own any agricultural property.

Can I sell or otherwise transfer my property if I put an easement on it?

Properties with easements on them can be sold or passed to family members.  The easement will remain with the property, thus the new owner must keep the property in agricultural use.

What are the financial benefits of placing an easement?

Because an easement removes the right to develop farmland, the landowner can be compensated for the resulting reduction in the property value.  The reduction in property value widely varies, based on the property type and location.  A hypothetical example:

Fair market value of land prior to easement: $25,000 per acre

– Fair market value of land after easement: $20,000 per acre

= Easement Value: $5,000 per acre

In this hypothetical example, the reduction in property value would be $5,000 per acre, or a total of $500,000 for a 100-acre property.  The California Farmland Trust requests five percent of this amount be donated to help monitor and steward the easement forever (this donation may be tax deductible), while the landowner receives the remainder (there may be associated tax implications, we recommend consulting a tax professional).  In addition, the landowner will incur some transactional costs during the easement process.

In some circumstances, there can also be property and estate tax benefits to placing an easement.  We recommend consulting a tax professional to determine whether you are eligible for any easement-related tax benefits.

Can I build a house, dig a well, pave a road, build a shed, place solar panels, or put up a fence if I have an easement?

Possibly.  Agricultural Conservation Easements do place some restrictions on construction; however, every easement is different.  The details of each easement are decided in discussions between the landowner and California Farmland Trust.  Generally speaking, construction that enables, not restricts, agricultural operations, is allowed.

What are my obligations once an easement is placed on my property?

Once a year, knowledgeable staff from the California Farmland Trust will visit your property, to ensure the terms of the easement are being followed.  Based on the easement terms, you may be required to notify or get approval from California Farmland Trust for certain construction projects.

What can I grow once an easement is placed on my property?

With an easement in place you can still grow whatever agricultural crop you want, within the already existing capabilities of the property.  California Farmland Trust does not get involved in the day to day operations of our farms and will not restrict a farmer’s choice to grow or convert to or from row crops, orchards,  and vineyards.

How long does it take to enact an easement?

Typically, it takes between one and two years to put an easement on a property.  If the easement is being donated, rather than purchased, that process will be on the faster end of the spectrum.  This is a long process, and we advise landowners to retain independent legal counsel and tax professionals to assist them during the process.

Is my property eligible for an easement?

Our team would be happy to discuss whether your farmland is appropriate for an easement.  Because our mission is to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world, we focus our efforts to place easements on farms that: are on prime soils; have a reliable water source; and can reasonably be expected to be impacted by development in the future.

What do I do if I’d like to learn more?

If you’d like to learn more about placing an Agricultural Conservation Easement on your farmland, fill out the form below and one of our team members will be in contact.

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Our Farms

Flying M Ranch Trust

The Flying M Ranch Trust is approximately 253 acres of almonds located in East Merced County. This property was closed in early 2022 and is one of the many conservation easements protecting the working landscapes of Flying M Ranch Trust. Approximately 5,900 acres of...

Machado Baker Road Farm

The Machado Baker Road Farm is approximately 92 acres of orchards and irrigated cropland in San Joaquin County. This property was closed in the fall of 2021. Owners, Mike and Diana Machado, are no strangers to  agricultural conservation easements, closing on their...

Machado Murray Road Farm

The Machado Murray Road Farm is approximately 155 acres of orchards and irrigated cropland in San Joaquin County. This property was closed in the summer of 2021. Owners, Mike and Diana Machado, are no strangers to  agricultural conservation easements, closing on their...

Lone Tree Ranch

Lone Tree Ranch is approximately 327 acres of various irrigated field crops two miles east of Los Banos, California. Owned and operated by Bowles Farming Company, the 160-year-old operation involves the sixth generation of Bowles and Lawrence families. This property...

C&T Murphy Property

The C&T Murphy Property is approximately 72 acres of almond orchards. Located in San Joaquin county, the property is positioned just outside the town of Farmington along Highway 4. This property was permanently protected by an ag conservation easement with funding...

Vander Woude Dairy

Vander Woude Dairy is approximately 65 acres of field crops that source the dairy. Located in Merced County, it is primarily made up of prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance. The property is in a robust agricultural area that supports various orchards,...

Mendez River Ranch

Mendez River Ranch is approximately 252 acres of walnut orchards and hay fields. Located in San Joaquin County, it offers unique soils perfect for growing crops. This property was permanently protected by an ag conservation easement with funding provided by USDA...

Williams Farm

Williams Farm is approximately 110 acres of walnut orchards. With this property’s prime and unique soils in San Joaquin County, it was perfect for an agricultural conservation easement. This project was closed in 2019 with funding from the USDA Natural Resources...

Kruppa Reed Farm

The Kruppa Reed Farm is located near the little town of Ballico. Surrounded by many other easements, this property is home to almonds and row crops and was permanently protected by an agricultural conservation easement in...

Magneson Property

The Magneson Property is luscious irrigated pasture located in Merced County. This is the second property that Mr. Magneson has placed with the California Farmland Trust. This property was permanently protected by an agricultural conservation easement in...

Murphy Farm

This beautiful property is located in San Joaquin County. This property is approximately 125 acres of bountiful walnut orchards and was permanently protected by an agricultural conservation easement in 2019 with funding from the Department of Conservation...

Tanner Farm

The Tanner Farm is located in scenic Merced County next to Kruppa Farm, Kruppa Reed Farm and Slater Trust Farm. The Tanner property is currently home to beautiful almond orchards.  This property was permanently protected by an agricultural conservation easement in...

Slater Trust Farm

The Slater Trust Farm is located in Merced County in Ballico. The property is currently set up for row crops, specifically sweet potatoes. The property is roughly 43 acres facing growth pressure from the nearby city of Delhi. This property was permanently protected by...

Kruppa Farm

The Kruppa Farm property is approximately 64 acres of beautiful almond orchards in Merced county. The property is comprised of prime farmland that is needed for sustained agricultural production. This property was permanently protected by an agricultural conservation...

Gail Martin Trust Farm

The Gail Martin Trust Farm is located in Delhi. With sandy soils, it is ideal for farming fruit and nut orchards. This beautiful property was permanently protected in 2019 by an agricultural conservation easement, funded by the Department of Conservation...

Brandstad Brothers

The Brandstad Brothers Farm is held under Jon and Richard Brandstad. The 2 parcels encumbered by the agricultural conservation easement make up about 158 acres of protected property. Their land is comprised of tree crops (walnuts & cherries). The property is...

Robert Prosperi Farms, Inc.

The Robert Prosperi Farms, Inc. property is located adjacent to the Prosperi Living Trust parcel in Madera County. This easement is comprised of roughly 57 acres of wine grape vineyards. This property was permanently protected in 2018 by an agricultural conservation...

Hooper Ranch

The Hooper Ranch is comprised of two parcels totaling 275.5 acres in a scenic agricultural area that supports orchards, row crops and grain crops. The primary use of this land is being used for the cultivation of field crops planted on a rotational basis. This...

Denis and Terri Prosperi Living Trust

The Denis and Terri Prosperi Living Trust property is located in the beautiful Madera County. This property is comprised of roughly 93 acres of fruitful wine grape vineyards. The property was permanently protected in 2018 by an agricultural conservation...

Cecchini Farm

The Cecchini Farm is located in the beautiful Contra Costa County. Being in the family for over 70 years, this 520.7 acre easement is a great addition to our list. Cecchini Farm was permanently protected in 2017.

Denis Prosperi Farms, Inc.

The Denis Propseri Farms, Inc. property is located in Madera County. This 78.48 acres consists of many different wine grape varietals and is located on prime farmland. This property was permanently protected in 2018 by an agricultural conservation easement.

BF Cochrane Farm

The BF Cochrane Farm is located just west of the City of Stockton in San Joaquin County. This beautiful 125+ acre property is comprised of row crops. Some including alfalfa, tomatoes, grain and corn. The BF Cochrane easement was permanently protected in 2017.

Machado Farm

Machado Farm can be found in San Joaquin County and encompasses 156 acres of land. Currently the farm produces a bounty of  fresh crops, including; walnuts, cherries, and peaches. This property has been protected by an agricultural conservation easement since...

Espinoza Brothers Farm

Rows of colorful Freestone peaches line Espinoza Farm, located northwest of the City of Livingston in Merced County. After owning the property for four years, the Espinoza brothers decided to conserve their 78 acres of prime farmland through an agricultural...

Kneppel Farm

Kneppel farm is a 166 acre property that can be found in Sacramento County. This property is currently home to lucious timothy grass and alfalfa. This property has been protected by a conservation easement since 2013.

Koehn Farm

Koehn Farm encompasses two properties located just south of Livingston in Merced County. Its prime soil supports rows of charming almond orchards. In June 2015, Koehn Farm was indefinitely protected by an agricultural conservation easement.

AKT Santa Nella

AKT Santa Nella Farm is a beautiful property located just south of Los Banos in Merced County. A sea of wheat grass and row crops line its 178 acres of prime farmland. In July 2014, this land was forever protected by an agricultural conservation easement.

Hannah Nicole Farm

At the foot of Mt. Diablo lies Hannah Nicole Vineyards, a stunning farm located just east of the City of Brentwood in Contra Costa County. With clay-loam soil near the Sacramento Delta, these 40 acres produce well-flavored grapes, perfect for their accompanying...

Nunn Preston Ranch

Preston Ranch is a 140.5 acre farm dedicated to growing and canning tomatoes. This stunning piece of property has been protected under a conservation easement since December of 2009. Preston Ranch is located in Contra Costa...

Meisner Farm

The Meisner Farm is defined by 161 pristine acres and comprised by 3 protected farms. One of the farms mentioned protects the open landscape between Fresno and Madera, an area county proposed to keep an open space greenbelt. This property can be found 2 miles away...

Espinoza Farm

Rows of colorful Freestone peaches line Espinoza Farm, located northwest of the city of Livingston in Merced County. After owning the property for four years, the Espinoza brothers decided to conserve their 78 acres of prime farmland through an agricultural...

Vierra Balfour Farm

On Vierra Balfour Road lies 206 acres of protected farmland under an agricultural conservation easement. This property is in Contra Costa County and grows rotating row crops to promote soil health. The Vierra Balfour farm property has been protected since...

Kami-Grigsby Farm

Kami-Grigsby farm is located east of the City of Brentwood in Contra Costa County. Its location in the greater San-Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta area ensures that the 132 acres of soil is prime for growing the farm’s cannery tomatoes and garlic. Since November 2011,...

Stenzel Hoffman Ranch

Stenzel Hoffman Ranch takes pride in the corn and tomatoes grown on their 166 acre property. This ranch is located within the boundaries of Contra Costa County. Stenzel Hoffman Ranch has been dedicated to conserving their land since placing an agricultural...

Tamayo Hoffman Farm

The Tamayo Hoffman Farm is located in Contra Costa County. On their 42 acre property, they are dedicated to growing sweet corn. This beautiful land has been protected under an agricultural conservation easement since 2011.

Messick Farm

Messick Farm is located in San Joaquin County, north of the town of Linden. Its beautiful 84 acres of prime farmland help sustain the farm’s cherry and walnut orchards, which have been in the family for multiple generations. Mr. Messick has a close connection to his...

Concord Avenue Farm

Concord Avenue Farm is located in Contra Costa County, southeast of the City of Brentwood. Organic row crops line this charming 20-acre farm full of prime agricultural land. With the hard work of the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust, this parcel has been protected by...

VrMeer Farm

VrMeer Farm consists of 23 beautiful acres of prime farmland that has grown a variety of crops including apricots. To protect the land, an agricultural conservation easement was placed on the property by the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust in July...

Payne Avenue Farm

Payne Avenue Farm is located just southeast of the City of Brentwood in Contra Costa County. These lovely 10 acres of prime farmland serve as a walnut orchard and have been protected with an agricultural conservation easement since June 2006, thanks to the efforts of...

Alvernaz Farm

This beautiful farm is located in Merced County near the town of Livingston. In the early 1960s, Joe Alvernaz purchased these 211 acres of prime farmland which is ideally suited for growing sweet potatoes. Joe and his son Jim rotate the sweet potato plantings with...

Bear Creek Ranch

This picturesque ranch is located in Merced County east of the City of Merced. The ranch is part of the historic Del Monte Peach Ranch. It is a large, efficient ranch to farm with excellent soils. Members of the partnership decided to protect these 243 acres of prime...

Magneson Dairy

This dairy is located along the Merced River in Merced County near the town of Ballico. The land was purchased by Charles and Christina Magneson in 1890. These 89 acres of prime farmland produce pasture for the herd of Holstein dairy cattle. The dairy milks 700 cows...

Furey Farm

This farm is located just east of the town of Planada in Merced County. The land has been in the family for over 100 years and has a beautiful view of the Sierra Nevadas. These 391 acres of prime farmland produce alfalfa, sileage, oats, and wheat. The family’s concern...

Ulm Farms, Inc.

Ulm Farms, Inc. is a multi-generational farming operation located just outside Modesto in Stanislaus County. These 151 acres of prime farmland produce almonds, walnuts and wine grapes. The land was first purchased in 1945, moving the family from Orange County in...

Brazil-Van Ryn Farm

Both Bill Van Ryn and Anthony Brazil are long time successful farmers in the Central Valley. They have converted the dairy to a certified organic milk producing facility. The easement covers 216 acres which supports the dairy and produces high quality organic feed for...

Galeazzi Farm

The Galeazzi family emigrated from Italy to the United States in 1894, settled in Modesto and purchased 250 acres of prime farmland. Today, John and his wife Carolyn farm the land with their son Tom and his wife Tawnya. Other family members are also involved in the...

Main Stone II Farm

Main Stone II Farm is located in southern San Joaqin County between the cities of Tracy and Manteca. These 225 acres are adjacent to Main Stone I and produce sileage corn, tomatoes, onions and asparagus. It was permanently protected in 2010 based on a right of...

Brandstad Farms

This picturesque farm is located in San Joaquin County near the town of Linden. It has been in the family for 3 generations; 119 acres purchased in 1931 and an additional 79 acres in 1971. This prime farmland produces walnuts, cherries, tomatoes, beans, wheat and hay....

Becker Ranch

Located near the town of Linden is Becker Ranch. This beautiful 44 acres has been owned by the Becker family since 1990. The land produces walnuts and cherries, and over ¼ mile of the Calaveras River runs along the south side of the ranch. The family decided to...

Zollinger-Nunes Farm

Zollinger-Nunes Farm is located near the town of Delhi in Merced County. This 74 acre farm was one of our first agricultural conservation easements. The farm produces peaches, almonds and walnuts. It was permanently protected in 1999.

Voorhees/Silva Farm

The Voorhees/Silva Farm is located in Sacramento County near the city of Walnut Grove. These 225 acres of prime farmland produce alfalfa hay and grain. The land was permanently protected in 2007.

Silveira Family Farm

This organic farm produces almonds and super high density olives for olive oil. Located in Merced County near the City of Livingston and the Merced River, these 62 acres of prime farmland were purchased by the Silveira family in 2003. Family members decided to...

Rocha/Mello Farm

The Rocha/Mello Farm is located in Sacramento County near the City of Elk Grove. These 97 acres of prime farmland produce alfalfa hay. The land was permanently protected in 2003.

Pfeiffer Family Ranch

Pfeiffer Ranch is located in the foothills of the Diablo Mountain Range in western Merced County. It is the largest easement held by the California Farmland Trust at nearly 7,000 acres. The ranch is comprised predominantly of open grazing land. It was permanently...

Okuye Farm

This beautiful farm is located in Merced County near the town of Livingston. The land has been in the Okuye family for over 100 years, and these 79 acres of prime farmland produce almonds. Okuye family members believe that protecting farmland protects the farmers,...

Menghetti Farm

This beautiful farm in Stanislaus County was purchased by Charles Menghetti on January 14, 1919. Charles and his wife Anna raised dairy cattle, alfalfa and grapes. Peter and his wife Kathleen Menghetti inherited the property where they raised a family and continue to...

Main Stone I Farm

Main Stone I Farm is located in southern San Joaqin County between the cities of Tracy and Manteca. This 928 acre farm was the first agricultural conservation easement completed under the Williamson Act Easement Exchange in San Joaquin County. The farm produces...

Magneson Farm

This picturesque farm is located along the Merced River in Merced County near the town of Ballico. The land was purchased by Charles and Christina Magneson in 1890. These 382.9 acres of prime farmland produce corn, wheat and permanent pasture. Recent environmental...

Jorgensen Ranch

This scenic property is located in Merced County near the town of Gustine. The land has been in the Jorgensen family for over 100 years. These 290 acres of prime farmland produce walnuts, alfalfa, beans and other field crops. In tribute to their parents William and...

Humboldt Ranch

This protected 270 acre parcel at the northern edge of Merced County has established a permanent separation between the City of Turlock to the north and the community of Delhi to the south. What was once a jungle of Bermuda grass-covered stump grapes is now a...

Furey Ranch

This ranch is located just east of the town of Planada in Merced County. The land has been in the family for over 100 years and has a beautiful view of the Sierra Nevadas. These 615 acres of prime farmland produces pasture for a herd of red and black Angus cattle. The...

Espinoza Farm

Espinoza Farm is located near the City of Delhi in Merced County. These beautiful 39 acres produce almonds and peaches and were purchased by the Espinoza Brothers in 1998. Working on the family farm gave them a great appreciation of the hard work it takes to produce a...

Jessie Espinosa Farm

The Jessie Espinosa Farm is located in the Delhi District of Merced County. These 38 acres of prime farmland produce peaches. It was permanently protected with an agricultural conservation easement in 2007.

Espinosa Family Farm

The Espinosa Family Farm is located in the Delhi District of Merced County. These 39 acres of prime farmland produce almonds and peaches. It was permanently protected with an agricultural conservation easement in 2007.

Sutter Home Winery

Sutter Home Winery purchased this prime farmland in 2010 from the Dumas family. In 2011 the land was planted with merlot and cabernet vines. These 220 acres of prime farmland was permanently protected in 2003.

Du Granrut Ranch

Du Granrut Ranch is located in north eastern Merced County. These 40 acres have been in the family for 22 years. This land was permanently protected in January 2006.

Cole Farm

Cole Farm is located in the Delhi District of Merced County. These 28 acres of prime farmland produce two varieties of almonds; Nonpariel and Price. The land has been in the family for 35 years and continues to be farmed and managed by family members. An agricultural...

Langille-Carman Farm

Carman Farm is 38.8 acres located near the town of Hilmar in Merced County. The farm was purchased by Samuel and Katherine Langille in 1910, and was subsequently passed on upon their death to their son Colin and daughter Katherine. Colin worked the farm until his...

Beach Farm

Beach Farm is a beautiful 80 acre parcel located near the City of Livingston in Merced County. This prime farmland produces almonds and and has been in the family for 25 years.

Cochrane Farm

Cochrane Farm is a lovely 44 acres located in the Delhi District of Merced County. This prime farmland produces three varieties of almonds; Nonpariel, Mission and Neplus. The land has been in the family ...

Flora/Graser Farm

The Flora/Graser Farm is located in the Delhi District of Merced County. Protected in 2002, this 30-acre farm full of almonds was one of the first to be protected by Central Valley Farmland Trust, now California Farmland Trust.