By Andi Anderson
Farmers and farmland owners will have an opportunity to learn how conservation easements can support long-term farm succession planning during an upcoming educational webinar hosted by Michigan State University Extension.
The free one-hour session will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, and is open to anyone interested in farmland ownership and future planning.
The webinar will focus on how conservation easements can be used as part of a broader farm succession strategy. Conservation easements are legal agreements that help protect farmland by limiting certain types of development while keeping the land in agricultural use.
These tools can play an important role when families plan how farmland will be managed and transferred to future generations.
During the session, speakers will explain when and how conservation easements can be established on farmland. Participants will learn about the basic process involved, including planning considerations, legal steps and coordination with conservation organizations.
The presentation will help farmland owners understand whether this option may be suitable for their individual goals.
The webinar will feature insights from Kim Hayes of the Leelanau Conservancy and Will Manty of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Both speakers will share real world perspectives on how conservation easements work in practice and how they can fit into long term succession planning efforts.
In addition to explaining the benefits of conservation easements, the webinar will also address possible challenges. These may include financial considerations, family communication and balancing conservation goals with farm business needs. Understanding both advantages and limitations can help families make informed decisions.
This educational program is designed to support thoughtful planning and open discussion around farmland transitions. By learning about conservation easements, farmers and landowners can explore options that protect land while supporting future generations.
Registration is required to attend the live webinar. For those unable to participate in real time, the session will be recorded and made available on the MSU Extension website allowing access at any time.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture