With half of farm real estate transfers between family members, strategies to conserve real estate value provide benefits to the current and future family farm owners. Many farm families view their real estate holdings as both investments and part of their family heritage. Both views provide a motive for conservation of farmland value. Farming activity provides income for farm families as well as a home for the current and future generations. Conserving the value and quality of farmland, the improvements used in the farm business, and the family home secures a better financial and family future.
Family members have daily and continuous contact with their home environment.
Farm workers have seasonal or daily contact in the working farmstead area, livestock facilities, and the cropland area of the farm. Guests at the farm also have exposure to the farmland and farmstead environment. All deserve the highest possible quality of environment in which to live, work, and visit. Detriments to this environment may be perceived as hazardous to the marketability and value of the real property. This fact sheet is designed to motivate farmland owners to consider the impact of their actions on land value and to choose actions in their self-interest.