Farms & Ranchlands Program
The conversion of family farms and ranches to non-agricultural uses poses one of the greatest threats to the integrity of small rural communities across the American West. The Trust’s Farms & Ranchlands Program provides an opportunity for families who find themselves in a position of needing to sell part or all of the family spread for economic or other reasons, while ensuring the continued active use of their family property for agriculture.
Typically, upon acquisition, the Trust will apply an agricultural Conservation Easement to the deed. This will ensure that it remains in agricultural use in perpetuity, regardless of the ultimate owner or manager, even if this reduces the monetary potential of the property to the Trust.
In some cases, the Trust may act as a bridge for another family or private party to acquire the property, or perhaps hold title and contract out management responsibilities to another organization (e.g., Wallowa Resources, a local nonprofit organization with natural resource management programs in place). Establishment of grassbanks and/or range reserves is also possible. In certain situations the Trust might run an outfit itself, perhaps in conjunction with particular scientific or educational interests, but the overall program emphasis would be toward continued, local family-owned operations.
