Regulatory measures may not be enough to ensure success of a preservation program.  For preserving farmland, acquisition is the strongest and surest means of protection.  Acquisition methods can be divided into two categories:

1. Landowners retain ownership of the land, but preserve a resource through an easement or other mutual agreement

2. Landowner transfers title to a conservation agency

Note: Conservation agency refers to a local government, land trust, or other preservation organization that holds easement or title on the land and is responsible for its conservation management .

Ownership Retention Strategies

Title Transfer Strategies