{"id":278,"date":"2019-09-16T05:51:12","date_gmt":"2019-09-16T05:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/?page_id=278"},"modified":"2025-05-22T06:09:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:09:42","slug":"access-to-land","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/agriculture\/access-to-land\/","title":{"rendered":"Access to Land"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left  wsu-hero--size-small \">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image-frame--fill\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/Access-to-Land_header-scaled.jpg\"\n\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/Access-to-Land_header-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/Access-to-Land_header-scaled.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/Access-to-Land_header-scaled.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/Access-to-Land_header-scaled.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/Access-to-Land_header-scaled.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/Access-to-Land_header-scaled.jpg 2048w\"\n\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\n\t\talt=\"farm land with barn and silo\"\n\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\n\t\t\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wsu-overlay wsu-pattern-after wsu-overlay--dark-left wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 id=\"title-id-6a04c0424aa4e\" class=\"wsu-title wsu-hero__title\"><span>Access to Land<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs \" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\"><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Regional Small Farms.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\" class=\"home\" ><span property=\"name\">Regional Small Farms<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to News.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/news\/\" class=\"post-root post post-post\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">News<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"3\"><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>One of the toughest parts of farming can be finding and accessing the right kind of land to grow your business on. New and beginning farmers are encouraged to reach out to their <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/small-farms-team\/\">local extension office staff<\/a> as well as visit the general resources on the sidebar to help guide them through their path to farmland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those just starting their land journey, Land for Good has a free, online tutorial, for aspiring, new and beginning farmers\u2014and others\u2014preparing to access farmland called<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/landforgood.org\/resources\/acquiring-farm-login\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/landforgood.org\/resources\/acquiring-farm-login\/\">Acquiring Your Farm (AYF)<\/a>. This tutorial contains lessons organized around main topics to help improve your land access readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lease Land<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For beginning farmers and those looking to expand their operation leasing land offers an affordable option and provides flexibility. The following resources are pulled from Land for Good, American Farmland Trust, the Center for Agriculture &amp; Food Systems, and Farm Commons. <em>DISCLAIMER: the resources provided are for educational purposes only and not considered legal counsel.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lease Rates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To calculate lease rates and view regional and statewide irrigated and non-irrigated lease rates, visit the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nass.usda.gov\/Statistics_by_State\/Washington\/Publications\/Current_News_Release\/\">USDA National Ag Statistics Service website<\/a><\/strong>. Under 2024, scroll down to Cash Rents by County 2023 and 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Land for Good<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/farmcommons.org\/pathway\/what-makes-for-a-good-farmland-lease-from-a-legal-perspective\/\">What Makes for a &#8220;Good&#8221; Farm Lease &#8211; from a legal perspective<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/landforgood.org\/resources\/lease-tool-login\/\">Build-a-Lease<\/a> online interactive tool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">American Farmland Trust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/farmlandinfo.org\/publications\/farm-leasing-success-for-landlords-and-tenants\/\">Farm Leasing: Success for Landlords and Tenants<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/farmlandinfo.org\/collections\/?special_collections=farmer-landowner-guides-to-leasing-agricultural-land\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/farmlandinfo.org\/collections\/?special_collections=farmer-landowner-guides-to-leasing-agricultural-land\">Farmer &amp; Landowner Guides to Leasing Agricultural Land<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmlandinfo.org\/farm-rental-agreement-checklist\">Farm Rental Agreement Checklist, Ohio State University<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Center for Agricultural &amp; Food Systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/farmlandaccess.org\/leasing\/\">Leasing Farmland Resources<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/farmlandaccess.org\/farm-lease-builder\/\">Farm Lease Builder<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Farm Commons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/farmcommons.org\/collections\/farmland-and-ranchland-leasing\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/farmcommons.org\/collections\/farmland-and-ranchland-leasing\/\">Farmland and Ranchland Leasing Resource Collection<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Purchase Land<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Owning farmland provides a secure tenure option, allows you to own the improvements you make, and can serve as collateral to back a loan. Access the following resources to learn more about purchasing farmland and the organizations out there that can help you navigate the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmlandinfo.org\/special-collections\/4530\">Farmer Guides to Buying Agricultural Land<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmlandinfo.org\/access-capital\">Access to Capital<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Evaluate Land<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have chosen whether to lease or purchase, the resources below can help you assess site conditions and variables best suited to your operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nesfp.org\/resources\/plain-language-guide-finding-assessing-and-securing-farmland-ma\">Guide to Finding, Assessing and Securing Farmland, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (pdf)<\/a>&nbsp;&#8211; This guide will help you answer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>What kind of land am I looking for?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What sort of land tenure situation is right for me?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I get started with my land search?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What should I look for during a farmland visit?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do I negotiate with a landowner and sign an agreement to use the land?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">Find Land<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the land resource below to be matched with farmland for sale or lease in our area. This is a program of Washington Farmland Trust that aims to help farmers find land, build capacity, access resources, and ultimately, thrive as business owners and stewards of the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/55\/FarmtoFarmer-Logo.png\" alt=\"Farm to Farmer Button\" class=\"wp-image-702\" width=\"343\" height=\"207\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">Additional Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tilthalliance.org\/\">Tilth Alliance <\/a>&#8211; Offers classes, farm walks, funding, and farmer resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wafarmlandtrust.org\/\">Washington Farmland Trust<\/a> &#8211; nonprofit land trust working to protect and steward threatened farmland in Washington. They work to keep land in production by making it accessible to future generations of farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/farmland.org\/\">American Farmland Trust<\/a> &#8211; ATF&#8217;s three priorities: protecting agricultural land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/landforgood.org\/\">Land for Good<\/a> &#8211; Includes a comprehensive online Toolbox for Farm Seekers looking to purchase or lease land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/newfarmers.usda.gov\/farmers-seeking-land\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/newfarmers.usda.gov\/farmers-seeking-land\">USDA New Farmers Website<\/a> &#8211; listing of tools and resources that USDA offers to new farmers\/ranchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/farmanswers.org\/\">Farm Answers<\/a> &#8211; Farm Answers is the USDA-NIFA beginning farmer and rancher (BFRDP) clearinghouse, providing resources to help you get started farming, as well as tools to help more seasoned producers succeed. Their site includes a <a href=\"https:\/\/farmanswers.org\/Toolbox\/farmland_access_toolbox\">farmland access toolkit<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Land Access Resources by County<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not finding what you are looking for? Contact your <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/small-farms-team\/\">local extension staff<\/a> with questions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--thirds\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-color-background--gray-10 wsu-border--add-top wsu-border--color-crimson\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clallam County<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clallamcountywa.gov\/178\/Community-Development-DCD\">Clallam County Department of Community Development<\/a> &#8211; Responsible for comprehensive planning, zoning, and processing of development and building permits<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clallamcountywa.gov\/157\/Assessor\">Clallam County Assessor&#8217;s Office<\/a> &#8211; Find land tax assessment and parcel search map<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/northolympiclandtrust.org\/\">North Olympic Land Trust<\/a> &#8211; They work to conserve open spaces, local food, local resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/clallamcd.org\/conservation-on-the-farm\">Clallam Conservation District<\/a> &#8211; Provides assistance to farm and livestock owners on a variety of land and livestock management topics.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-color-background--gray-0 wsu-border--add-top wsu-border--color-crimson\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jefferson County<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.co.jefferson.wa.us\/260\/Community-Development\">Jefferson County Department of Community Development<\/a> &#8211; DCD drafts land use policy and regulations, shepherds proposals through the public process, and implements policies and regulations adopted by the Board of County Commissioners<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.co.jefferson.wa.us\/151\/Assessor\">Jefferson County Assessor&#8217;s Office<\/a> &#8211; Find land tax assessment and parcel search map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.saveland.org\/\">Jefferson Land Trust<\/a> &#8211; From the shoreline to the timber-lands, they are protecting some of Jefferson County\u2019s most fertile farmland, richest spawning grounds and busiest wildlife corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jeffersonlandworks.org\/\">Jefferson Landworks Collaborative<\/a> &#8211; Works directly with landowners and potential farmer\/ foresters on a case-by-case basis to determine the needs of their operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jeffersoncd.org\/\">Jefferson County Conservation District<\/a> &#8211; They help all Jefferson County citizens achieve sustainable land use objectives while protecting and enhancing the area\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-color-background--gray-10 wsu-border--add-top wsu-border--color-crimson\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kitsap County<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kitsapcd.org\/\">Kitsap Conservation District&nbsp;<\/a> &#8211; KCD offers technical assistance to landowners, including: Farm conservation plans, pasture &amp; manure management, and assessing farm properties before you purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapgov.com\/dcd\">Kitsap County Department of Community Development<\/a> &#8211; Permitting, Kitsap County code and Comprehensive Plan information and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsapgov.com\/assessor\/Pages\/default.aspx\">Kitsap County Assessor&#8217;s Office<\/a> &#8211; Find land tax assessment and parcel search map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/preservekitsapfarms.org\/\">Kitsap Farmland Preservation Coalition<\/a> &#8211; Group of agriculture resource providers, organizational, and farmer representatives collaboratively working on farmland preservation in Kitsap County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bi-landtrust.org\/\">Bainbridge Island Land Trust<\/a> &#8211; The Land Trust acquires interests in land having significant or potentially significant conservation values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/greatpeninsula.org\/\">Great Peninsula Conservancy<\/a> &#8211; A nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting the natural habitats, rural landscapes, and open spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.friendsofthefarms.org\/\">Friends of the Farm<\/a> &#8211; They have programs providing affordable housing for farm interns, and connect farmers with landowners for affordable farmland.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the toughest parts of farming can be finding and accessing the right kind of land to grow your business on. New and beginning farmers are encouraged to reach out to their local extension&amp;hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":735,"parent":160,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_wsuwp_accessibility_report":null,"_expiration_date":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/278"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=278"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3544,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/278\/revisions\/3544"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/160"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}