Land access and farm transfer are two of the most important issues farmers face. The goal of the Farmland Access Legal Toolkit is to provide a helpful resource for farmers who need land in order to farm, and for farmers who want to transition their land to another farmer, as part of their estate planning or for other reasons.

This resource is designed so that farmers can be better prepared to talk to an attorney about their individual situation. An improved understanding of the legal options described in this toolkit can help farmers create realistic farm transfer or acquisition goals before consulting with an attorney. This makes time with an attorney more efficient, less expensive (because lawyers often charge by the hour), and more likely to lead to a positive outcome for farmers.

In the end, there is no substitute for personalized legal help from an attorney who understands your farm, your family, and your goals.

The Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) is a research-based institution housed at Vermont Law and Graduate School. With our students, we produce original scholarly research in the field of food and agriculture law and policy to serve the broadest range of food system stakeholders.

With local, regional, national, and international partners, CAFS addresses food system challenges related to food and nutrition security and affordability, farmland access, food system workers, farm viability, local economies, and public health, among others. CAFS works closely with its partners to provide legal services and develop resources that respond to their needs. Through CAFS’ Food and Agriculture Clinic and Research Assistant program, Vermont Law and Graduate School students work directly on projects alongside partners nationwide, engaging in innovative work that spans the food system.

Learn more at vermontlaw.edu/cafs.

Laurie Beyranevand

Emma Scott

Lihlani Nelson

Lindsey Connolly

Austin Price

Fran Miller

Emily Spiegel

Wendy Chen

Liz Turner

Callum LaFrance

Valentine Cadeuix 

Renee Smith Nickelson 

Kristin King-Ries

Eliza Spellman

Dr. Kara Woods

Deb Nares

Caroline Kimball

MacKenzie Landa

Rachel Oest

Emilie Schwartz

Harsharon Sekhon

Koral Skeen

Alison Uhrlass

Madelyn Vital

Amanda Heyman, Heyman Legal

Amy Manzelli, BCM Environmental & Land Law, PLLC

Fran Miller

Exari

Jeannette Eicks, The Center for Legal Innovation

Amanda Heyman

Fran Miller

Mike Arney, Halftone Digital

Gabe Halberg, Dadra Design

Lori DuBreuil, Vermont Law School

Jen Santini, Sykora and Santini

Donald Sienkiewicz, Estate Preservation & Planning Law Office

Rachel Bigelow

Jenileigh Harris

Megan Fuerst

Nicolette Lustig

Lihlani Nelson

Emily Spiegel

Ben Waterman

We thank the many farmers who are featured in this resource or who otherwise contributed to its contents by telling their stories for the benefit of other farmers. In particular, we wish to thank our “case study” farmers, featured here.

We consulted with many farm and farmer organizations over the last several years while researching this resource. We appreciate their wisdom and the good work they do for farmers. Thanks especially to:

Terry Dunst, Bakke Norman

Liz Kolbe, Practical Farmers of Iowa

Annie Lemelin, Conservation Law Foundation

Liya Schwartzman, California FarmLink