The FarmLASTS Project

FarmLand Access, Succession, Tenure and Stewardship
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FarmLASTS Research

Our research teams are investigating three related topics. The primary focus is on successful and new approaches that foster farm entry, succession and stewardship.

Farm entry through traditional and non-traditional land tenure arrangements.

The research question is: What traditional and non-traditional land tenure arrangements hold promise for increasing access, affordability, security and profitability for entering small and medium-sized farmers?

Farm succession planning and execution strategies.

The research question is: What approaches hold promise for overcoming current barriers and increasing successful succession strategies and processes among older and exiting farming families?

Environmental impacts associated with farmland tenure and succession arrangements.

The research question is: In what ways can environmental stewardship be increased through land tenure agreements associated with entering farmers and/or farm succession?

Each team is conducting a thorough review of the literature, along with interviews, focus groups and case studies. They will develop reports for use in the outreach and education components of the project. The reports will contain a section on policy implications and recommendations.

Interviews are being conducted with experts on the project team as well as with "field informants" -- professionals and farmers across the country who have specific knowledge and experience on these topics.

We've identified certain special populations that face particular barriers to entry and succession, have received little past research attention and/or may offer unique contributions. We have conducted focus groups of individuals from each of these sub-populations. They are:
  • African-American entrants
  • African-American landowners
  • Women entrants
  • Women landowners
  • Immigrant and refugee entrants
  • Hispanic entrants
  • Non-farming/absentee landlords
  • Public lands
  • Land trusts
  • Religious orders

This project is supported by the National Research Initiative of the USDA/CSREES, , Grant #2007-55618-18222 to the University of Vermont. It is directed by Bob Parsons (University of Vermont) and Kathryn Ruhf (Land For Good). (Please see here for Project Team members).  For more information, please contact Kathy Ruhf at kzruhf@verizon.net.