Sample Agreements for Landsharing

There are numerous ways that people can agree to share land, ranging from informal "handshakes" to an established set of rules to formal leases.

Here are some aspects to discuss:

How formal do you want your agreement to be?

What gardening methods (organic, no-till, permaculture, regenerative?)

Will the soil be tested? For what? By whom? Who will pay the cost?

What will be planted?

Who will provide soil amendments, if any? Who will add soil amendments to the soil?

What happens if the garden area seems to be neglected? How much inactivity makes it reasonable for the land owner to assume neglect?

What happens if either party doesn't want to continue?

Is water available on the site? If so, how much usage is expected? Who is responsible to maintain the water system? Is a financial contribution toward the water cost expected?

Will the land owner be paid? Will the gardener be paid?

Will extra food be given away? To a senior center or a community pantry?

Will produce or work be shared? How much is too much for a land owner to expect?

Suggested Guiding Principles

Leave the site and your relationships with each other better than you found them.

Be generous. Practice reciprocity. Take care of each other. Tend the soil