Procedure for Purchasing or Donating Easements

• Owners of qualified land may offer to sell or donate a conservation easement by completing an application from the Summers County Farmland Protection Board.
• SCFPB reviews each application and selects qualifying applicants to continue with the process.
• The offer is evaluated under the local ranking system.
• A certified agricultural appraiser will appraise property, if required.
• The maximum easement value is calculated as the difference between fair market value and is determined by the SCFPB.
• An offer is made to the landowner in exchange for a perpetual easement.
• The landowner may select payment to an escrow account for a maximum of five years to allow for an opt-out provision at the end of the five-year term.
• Consultation with a qualified financial planner is highly encouraged.

Is Your Farm Eligible for Protection?

In order to qualify property must be located in Summers County and be capable of use for cropland or grazing. Woodlots and wetlands within the farm boundaries are also eligible. Some commercial activities such as retail sales of farm products, tourism, charitable or educational activities, or home-based businesses are compatible with easements.