California Land Transfer Navigators

Are you wondering about the future of your farm?
Are you considering  transitioning away from full-time production?
Not sure how to start planning your next steps?

An estimated 41% of agricultural land is projected to change hands by 2035. In response, American Farmland Trust, in partnership with USDA-NRCS, has launched the Land Transfer Navigators program to support retiring landowners and the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

American Farmland Trust’s trained staff are available to help you:  

• Access information and planning resources
• Set goals and identify next steps in your planning process
• Prepare for conversations with family members and business partners
• Connect with attorneys, business advisors, and other experts
• Follow-through on your plans and keep making progress

Don’t wait any longer – start planning for the future today!

Explore Transfer Resources

Where to Start 

• Land for Good  Land for Good’s excellent workbook will guide you through the beginning of your succession journey. This series of worksheets will help you define your goals and identify next steps!
• Ties to the Land Whether you own a farm, forest or rangeland, you care about your property and what happens to it. This is a succession guide from Oregon State University that centers on the needs and experiences of ranchers, growers, landowners and small timber holders.

Estate Planning

• Estate Planning for Farmers and Ranchers  This resource from American Farmland Trust and other partners will provide an introduction to estate planning and addresses the unique challenges of farmers and ranchers.
• Family Business Planning Guide Ben Schowalter of AgWest has been working on succession and land transfer for many years. This guide is based on years of experience working with producers!
• Asset Inventory American Farmland Trust’s Financial Assets Inventory Worksheet provides a framework to list and value the assets that will be transferred or acquired in a farm or ranch transfer. This might include land, buildings, equipment, and/or aspects of the existing farm or ranch business.
• Retirement Budgeting Worksheet Land for Good has come up with a simple and direct worksheet that helps you understand your financial picture and plan for retirement.

Creating Leases 

• Leasing Farmland Lessons Land for Good has created a simple step-by-step lesson on different types of leases, how to determine rental rates, and other great information.
• Powerful Questions to Prepare for Agricultural Lease Farm Commons specializes in legal advice for farmers, ranchers, and producers. These questions help build a solid foundation for all parties involved.
• Leasing Farmland Access Legal Toolkit has created a comprehensive guide to different types of leases, and even includes a “lease-builder”. Explore their website and get your questions answered.

Conservation easements 

• Conservation easements Explore the Farmland Access Legal Toolkit’s guide to conservation easements and learn how they can support your succession or land transfer goals.
• Protect your Land American Farmland Trust has been leading conservation agriculture for 30 years. Check this out if you’re curious about the bigger picture and how to connect to regional resources.
• What are conservation easements? Here is a straightforward introduction to conversation easements.