Conservation Helps Farms Transition to Next Generation

As dark storm clouds roll closer, Marilyn De Meyer talks about the future of her family farm while checking a drying field of red kidney beans.

She and her son are business partners. Rich (30) has brought more research and seed trials, crop management, and marketing to their business. Started in 1921 as a fruit and vegetable farm, the De Meyers switched to grains and other crops like kidney beans to spread out risk.

“One of the most difficult hurdles for farmers is competing for land against developers,” the 63-year-old farmer shares as it starts raining. “The farmland protection grant is allowing us to purchase a neighbor’s farm, and the additional acreage will help Rich make this his full-time career.”

In May of 2024, Genesee Land Trust permanently protected 595 acres of world-class soil and helped two successful farm transitions — De Meyer Family Farms in the Town of Parma and Goodell Farms in the Town of Shortsville.

These conservation wins — which take 3 to 5 years and 3,500 staff hours each — couldn’t happen without sustaining support from Land Trust members like you.

Farms Facing Hard Times

Marilyn says encroaching development, more extreme weather, skyrocketing costs, widespread labor shortages, and wildly fluctuating markets have made farming tougher than ever.

New York State lost 2,800 farm businesses and 364,000 acres of farmland between 2017 and 2022, according to the recent US Agricultural Census.

“Protecting farmland and helping our hardworking local farmers isn’t just a personal or regional issue,” Marilyn says. “If we can’t produce enough food to feed ourselves, that becomes a major threat to our national security.”

Conservation Can Help

Without a transition plan or conservation easement in place, when a farmer retires or passes away the land is often lost forever to development.

That worry inspired Bill and Brycie Goodell to list their farm on the NY Farmland Finder website, a state-wide program Genesee Land Trust participates in as a Regional Navigator to connect current farmland owners with prospective buyers.

After 18 months of searching, Bill met Mike Verstraete and knew it was the right fit. Over the past few years the younger farmer and his wife Julia have taken over farm operations and Bill has retired.

The Land Trust’s agricultural conservation easement played a critical role in the transition by making the Goodell’s valuable farmland more affordable for the Verstraetes.

“I wish I could have continued on with a next generation, but the farm will continue,” Bill says. “I’m sure there will be changes now, but I do believe we made the right choice.”

If you or a farmer you know is interested in learning more about transition planning, please join us for our Farmer Information Session. Registration is appreciated for planning but not required.

5 Fast Facts About Conservation Easements

Landowners that choose to protect their farmland or wildlife habitat see the land they love as part of their legacy and share a commitment to the future of their community.

Conservation is always a big decision. Here are some important points to consider.

Ownership Retained

You retain your private property rights and can sell, lease, or pass your land on to your family.

Tax Benefits

If you donate at least part of your conservation easement, there can be both federal and state tax benefits.

Tailored to You All

conservation easements are unique to the land it protects and to your vision.

Voluntary

Conservation easements are voluntary and do not require public access.

Estate Planning Benefits

Conserving your land can help with your estate planning, reduce your estate taxes, and can help with a transition to the next generation.

Interested in learning more?

For farmland, please contact Amanda Grisa at agrisa@geneseelandtrust.org.

For wildlife habitats, please contact Cassidy May at cmay@geneseelandtrust.org.