MDAR - Bureau of Land Use

Land Use

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Bureau of Land Use

Land Use - Stewardship

Leasing FAQ

Suppose at the end of my five-year lease I want to continue to lease the land. Is that possible?

Yes. Your lease will come with a renewal option.

The Program sounds intriguing to me, but I'm just not sure I can commit to a five-year lease. Is there any way to get a shorter lease?

Yes. When the Bureau Chief sees that a five-year lease won't work for you, a one-year lease may be granted.

I live in a neighboring state. Can I lease some land from the Department?

Sorry! The Program is open to Commonwealth residents only.

If I were to be granted a lease, what kind of structures can I put on the land?

Only temporary ones, like fences and other ones necessary to your farm operation. When your lease ends, you'd be required to remove them.

Could I sell the produce from my leased land at a stand on that property?
These lands are not intended for establishing retail operations. Although you could allow persons to pick their own fruits and vegetables and sell them that way, you would have to transport the items to your home farm and sell them at that location.

Barbara Hopson
Department of Agricultural Resources
25 West Experiment Station
Amherst, MA 01003: barbara.hopson@state.ma.us
413-545-0179