Economics
Agricultural Water Users’ Preferences for Addressing Water Shortages in the Colorado River Basin
The Colorado River Basin is in crisis. There is no longer enough water for all of those who depend on it. The agricultural sector is the largest water user in…
| Policy
2023 National Policy Platform
As landowners and land managers, we recognize that well-managed working lands are the cornerstones of both human communities and the ecosystems on which we all depend. We know what it…
| succession planning
Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 5: Best Practices of Non-Resident Landowners
How is succession planning different for non-resident or "absentee" landowners? With this ownership type becoming more and more common in the West, how can these landowners best steward their investment to the next generation?
| succession planning
Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 4: Considerations when transferring your property
How does one begin the task of planning for the transfer of a family business, real estate and farm or ranch?
Paying for Stewardship
This guide presents some ways landowners can earn compensation for their stewardship efforts directly or indirectly—schemes sometimes referred to as payments for ecosystem services, ecosystem services markets, or conservation finance. It goes beyond description to provide illustrative case studies of these strategies at work.
Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 3: Alternate Ownership Structures
What factors should you consider when selecting an ownership structure for your ranch? What questions should you be sure to answer before deciding? What are differences between an LLC, a C Corporation, and an S Corporation? What are the benefits to partnership, cooperative or shared ownership structures, and what are the drawbacks? Why or when would someone choose a less common ownership structure?
Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 2: Family Governance
What defines "family governance" and what key factors drive the type of governance structure a family puts into place? How does one effectively integrate family members into its governing structure? What are some governance issues one encounters when creating and administering trusts?
Conservation Economics on Western Working Lands
Conservation is a form of economics What policy conditions would empower landowners to allocate time, talent and resources to biodiversity and connectivity? This question is the center of this paper,…
Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 1
When should a succession plan be put in place? Who should be involved? What are the basic components of a farm or ranch business succession plan? Who can help put it in place?
Toward a Healthy & Productive West
Six common sense principles endorsed by more than 130 organizations light the path to a better West. We urge Congress and the Administration to advance these principles to achieve rural economic health and a productive agricultural sector, provide for our human needs, and protect the landscapes in which we live and work.
Featured Publication
Stewardship with Vision: Caring for New Mexico’s Streams.
Private stewardship of Western land and water plays a vital role in the health of the West. This must-read guide highlights the importance of New Mexico landowners to our economic and environmental future. Our food, water resources, forests, rangelands, and fish and wildlife populations depend on their stewardship. Public policies that support and encourage the voluntary stewardship of our shared resources benefit us all.
