East Jordan, MI – As Michigan’s farmland shrinks under pressure from soaring property values and a dwindling pool of young farmers, longtime resident John Boyer is taking a proactive step to protect his family’s legacy. Boyer, who grew up on a 131‑acre parcel of corn, oats and wheat fields, recently placed 130 acres of that land into a conservation easement with the Little Traverse Conservancy.
Why the easement matters
The easement allows Boyer to continue farming the land while permanently restricting future development. By selling the future development rights to the conservancy, Boyer ensures that the property cannot be subdivided or turned into residential or commercial parcels, even if he later sells the farm or passes it to his children.
“For any farmer, everything’s personal,” Boyer said. “Every piece of property, every stone you pick up, you spend countless hours out there.” He added that protecting the land is a way to keep development from encroaching on the surrounding agricultural community.
Statewide trends in farmland loss and preservation
According to the latest USDA farm census, Michigan’s total farmland fell from about 9.8 million acres in 2017 to roughly 9.5 million acres in 2022 – a decline of 3 percent. While the amount of land owned directly by farmers dropped by about 208,000 acres, the value of Michigan farmland rose to approximately $6,800 per acre in 2025, outpacing the national average growth of 4.3 percent.
Higher land values benefit owners with large holdings but create barriers for beginning farmers who lack the capital to purchase or expand acreage. Jon LaPorte, a farm‑business educator with Michigan State University Extension, noted that farmers are “facing difficult decisions about how to handle valuable property” amid “a lot of pressure” and “a lot of money.”
Conservation easements as a financial tool
Conservation easements offer an alternative to outright sale. Joe Graham, chief financial and operating officer for the Little Traverse Conservancy, explained that easements let landowners capture part of their land’s equity without relinquishing ownership. “We’re offering them another alternative… a way to capture some of the equity and the value they have in that land without having to sell it,” Graham said.
The conservancy has protected about 30,000 acres across five northern Michigan counties, including roughly 6,000 acres of farmland. Interest in easements is growing, though Graham cautioned that easement payments are typically lower than the full development potential of the land, creating a timing dilemma for owners.
Leasing as another path to growth
Leasing also helps farmers expand without the upfront cost of purchase. Rebecca Carlson, a fourth‑generation farmer who runs Overlook Orchards in Northport, grew her operation from 200 to 1,300 acres over eight years by leasing additional land from families without successors. “It’s a great way to maintain your farming, your farm and grow your farm,” Carlson said.
About 39 percent of Michigan’s agricultural land was leased in 2022, a share that has remained steady since 2017. However, a 2026 Michigan State University survey found that high rental rates and finding suitable land are top concerns for lessees.
Looking ahead
Beyond development pressure, Michigan farmers contend with climate variability, crop disease and rising input costs. Some, like Dave Skornia of Boyne City, see the state’s changing climate as an opportunity for agriculture to become more valuable as other regions face harsher conditions.
For Boyer, the easement represents a long‑term commitment to keep his family’s farm productive for generations. “Then suddenly a productive farm field or ground is gone, and it’s gone forever,” he warned, underscoring the importance of preserving Michigan’s agricultural heritage.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
