Landowners

Landowners (absentee, non-operators and landlords) of agricultural land, woodlands and wild areas can rely on NRCS for assistance through conservation programs and technical information to help them protect the natural resources on their land. Staff at your local USDA Service Center can help you plan and install the best conservation practices for your land. NRCS, working with conservation partners, encourage and assist landowners, farmers, ranchers, and other land users in implementing voluntary conservation practices.

• Center for Absentee Landowners – site designed for people who own agricultural land, but do not live on or operate that land.
• Women Caring for the Land – Conservation Outreach for Female Non-Operator Landowners.
• Minority Landowner – magazine for minority landowners.
• Purdue University Women in Agriculture  - site for newsletter, events and links.

Establishing Farm Leases that Include Conservation & Soil Health

• Sustainable Farm Leases – Drake University and the Leopold Center website.
• Leasing Checklist – Center for Absentee Landowners.
• Leasing Fact Sheet – Center for Absentee Landowners.
• So You Have Inherited a Farm – Iowa State University Extension.
• Farmland Leasing, Crop-Share, Cash Rent Resources and Links – Purdue University Agricultural Economics website
  • Indiana Farmland Leases – Key Considerations and Laws (Gerry Harrison, PU)
  • Considerations in Setting a Cash Rent (Craig Dobbins, PU)
  • Indiana Cash Farm Lease (Craig Dobbins and J.H. Atkinson, PU)
• Lease Supplement for Use in Obtaining Conservation Practices and Controlling Soil Loss (Kenneth Muller, Iowa State University)
• Managing Landlord-Tenant Relationships: A Strategic Perspective (LeeAnn Moss and Bernie Erven, Ohio State University Extension)
• Farm Rental Agreement Checklist (Donald Breece, Ohio State University Extension)

Applicable NRCS Websites

• Indiana Soil Health – website for all things related to healthier, more productive soils.
• Conservation Programs - Financial Assistance Programs, Easements, Partnership Programs
• Conservation Planning and Technology - Agronomy, Forestry, Grazing, etc
• Information for Small Scale Farmers
• Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers Information

Publications

• Conservation Choices (PDF; 5.25 MB)
     --Your guide to conservation and environmental farming practices
• Organic Farming Resource Guide (PDF; 139 KB)
• Ponds, Planning, Designs, Construction (PDF; 1784 KB)