We have some programs here referred to as conservation easements. Basically you agree to having deed restrictions placed on your property permanently prohibiting any development for residential or industrial use. In return, you get a big chunk of money. One of the programs here is run by an environmentalist group that raises private money for fairly remote woodlands, land along rivers and lakes and such. But there is a government USDA program that several local farmers have participated in that pays a pretty significant amount for agreement to not develop the land. The land owner grants the conservation easement to the county Soil and Water Conservation District. There have been several properties purchased locally and then entered into this program with the program covering a majority of the purchase price. Do you guys in other areas have these programs?
Here is information on one property in that program. 121 acres entered that program in December, 2010. Owner was paid $289,480 for granting the easement. Property must not be converted to non-agricultural use. No new construction with some exceptions for agricultural purposes. Existing structures (old barn) may be repaired or replaced in current locations. All structures, improvements, paved or gravel roads, and parking areas cannot total more than 2.43 acres. No new house ever allowed. The owner's house and 1 acre were not part of the agreement. Property cannot ever be subdivided.
A few years later, the owner decides to sell the property minus his house. With the house restriction, a buyer can't live on the property. A buyer can't build chicken houses on the property or other ag operations that require significant buildings. That reduced the interest in the property. The land sold to an adjacent property owner/farmer that just added a gate in the fence between his pasture and the property. That buyer has several hundred acres and I think most of it is in this program. Buyer's brother had purchased the 200 acres behind me and the 200 acres across the road from me and those went into this program as well.
Are these programs common across the country?