Talking to Your Landlord About Conservation Practices and SWOF
By Joe Winchell, SWOF Field Program Lead
Many landlords are open to ideas that increase the long-term productivity of their land, but they might not be familiar with conservation practices or the benefits of participating in programs like the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF). This article will help you introduce the topic, explain the benefits, and start building a shared plan for conservation success.
Step 1: Set the Stage.
Start the conversation by emphasizing the shared goals you have with your landlord: maintaining productive, profitable farmland for the long term. Here’s an example of how to frame the discussion:
“[Landowner’s Name], I’ve been looking into opportunities that could preserve the health of your land while helping both of us financially. I’d like to talk about some conservation practices and a program I’m considering joining, the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, that rewards us for soil and water stewardship.
Are you familiar with practices like no-till, cover crops, or buffer strips? Would you be interested in learning how these practices can reduce your soil erosion and preserve your property value?”
Step 2: Introduce the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund.
Explain the basics of SWOF:
What’s this program all about? SWOF pays farmers to begin or expand on-farm conservation practices that yield positive environmental outcomes such as carbon sequestration (capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the soil), emission reductions, and water quality improvement.
What type of changes are we talking about, and why?
Reduced/No-Till: Improves soil structure, moisture retention, and reduces erosion and nutrient runoff.
Cover Crops: Protect soil from erosion, suppress weeds, improve nutrient cycling, and enhance soil organic matter.
Extended Crop Rotations: Promote biodiversity, improve soil health, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem resiliency.
Other in-field conservation practices that produce positive environmental outcomes such precision nutrient management and buffer strips.
“I’d like to enroll in this program so that I can implement practices like cover crops or reduced tillage. It not only improves soil health and reduces erosion, but it could make your land more productive long-term.”
Step 3: Use the Benefits to Help Address Potential Questions or Concerns.
Landlords may have questions about how these changes affect their land or the lease. Address these by focusing on how SWOF participation benefits both of you:
For the Landlord:
Protects and enhances the long-term land value and productivity of the land.
Protection against soil erosion and degradation.
Reputational gains as a conservation supporter.
For the Tenant:
Reduces input costs (e.g., fuel, fertilizers) over time.
Enhances crop yields and resilience against extreme weather events.
Provides financial incentives for the soil and water environmental outcomes.
For the Partnership:
Strengthened relationships through shared goals.
Opportunities for longer-term lease agreements and co-investment strategies.
Q: Will these practices affect the land’s productivity?
A: “Actually, they improve productivity over time. Healthier soil retains water and nutrients better and is more resilient to extreme weather, like droughts or heavy rain events.”
Q: Who will pay for these practices?
A: “The program provides financial payments that offset some of the upfront costs, and over time, the savings from reduced inputs make it even more worthwhile.”
Q: Does this require changes to our lease?
A: “We may want to look at a longer-term lease to give us time to fully implement the practices and see the benefits, but that’s something we can discuss together.”
“By agreeing on a plan, we can make your land more productive and valuable.”
Step 4: Propose a Plan.
Conclude the conversation with a clear action plan:
Share Information: Bring materials about SWOF (or offer to send if you’re speaking over the phone) and offer your field program representative’s contact information if they have questions. We encourage you to take the lead in the conversation to maintain a healthy line of communication with your landlord. However, if needed, our staff can join the meeting as a helpful resource.
Collaborate on Goals: Discuss which conservation practices make the most sense for the farm. Again, your SWOF field program representative can help answer questions.
Adjust the Lease if Needed: Explore options like multi-year agreements or cost-sharing arrangements. (We highly recommend that your lease be in writing, and that both you the tenant and your landlord are provided a signed copy for record.)
Move Forward Together: Set a timeline for enrolling in the program and implementing the practices.
“Here is the implementation plan I’ve put together. Let me know if you have any other questions and how we can move forward together. This could be a great opportunity for both of us.”
Move Forward Together
The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund offers a great opportunity for both tenants and landlords: healthier, more productive farmland and financial rewards for conservation. Starting this conversation with your landlord can pave the way for a stronger partnership, better outcomes, and a brighter future for the land you farm together.
Joe Winchell
Field Program Lead
As Field Program Lead, Joe manages the enrollment and technical assistance portion of the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund. He has a background in developing solutions to agronomic needs for businesses in agriculture from his time in retail and wholesale agronomy sales. He earned bachelor’s degrees in both agricultural business and economics from Iowa State University. Joe is from and still resides near Van Meter, Iowa.