Wisconsin Agricultural Land Lease Agreement Generator

What is a Wisconsin Agricultural Land Lease Agreement?

A Wisconsin Agricultural Land Lease Agreement is a specialized contract between landowners and farm operators for the lease of agricultural property in Wisconsin. This agreement addresses Wisconsin's unique agricultural regulations, conservation requirements, and farming practices. The contract establishes land use parameters, rental terms, maintenance responsibilities, crop and livestock provisions, and compliance obligations tailored to Wisconsin's distinctive agricultural landscape, weather patterns, soil types, and state-specific farming regulations.

Key Sections Typically Included:

• Parties and Property Description
• Term and Renewal Provisions
• Rental Payment Structure and Schedule
• Wisconsin Use Value Assessment Compliance
• Land Use and Crop Rotation Requirements
• Soil Conservation and Nutrient Management
• Fertilizer and Chemical Application Guidelines
• Wisconsin Drainage Law Compliance
• Equipment Storage and Access Rights
• Hunting and Recreational Use Provisions
• Buildings and Improvements Responsibility
• Fencing Maintenance and Livestock Provisions
• Timber and Non-Crop Resource Rights
• Wisconsin Right to Farm Law Acknowledgment
• Entry and Inspection Rights
• Termination and Default Remedies
• Subletting and Assignment Restrictions
• Insurance and Liability Requirements
• Wisconsin Abandoned Personal Property Provisions
• Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

Why Use Our Generator?

Our Wisconsin Agricultural Land Lease Agreement generator creates a comprehensive document specifically tailored to Wisconsin's unique agricultural environment and regulatory framework. The agreement properly addresses Wisconsin's use value assessment requirements, soil and water conservation standards, drainage regulations, and right-to-farm protections. Our tool helps landowners and farm operators establish clear leasing expectations while ensuring compliance with Wisconsin's distinctive agricultural regulations and best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How do Wisconsin's property tax laws affect agricultural lease agreements?

  • A: Wisconsin's property tax laws significantly impact agricultural lease agreements through the state's distinctive Use Value Assessment system, which must be carefully addressed in lease contracts. Under Wisconsin's Use-Value Assessment law (Wis. Stat. § 70.32), agricultural land is taxed based on its value for agricultural use rather than its potential development value, providing substantial tax advantages for landowners. Lease agreements must explicitly establish that the tenant will maintain the land in qualified agricultural use to preserve this tax status, as non-agricultural use can trigger conversion charges up to $862 per acre. The contract should address Wisconsin's specific agricultural use classifications (including crop production, livestock pasture, Christmas tree cultivation, and specialty crops) and establish which activities the tenant is permitted to conduct under each relevant category. Agreements should include mandatory reporting provisions requiring tenants to provide annual documentation of agricultural activities to support the landowner's continued eligibility for use-value assessment. The lease should explicitly prohibit activities that would jeopardize agricultural classification, including excessive non-farm business operations, substantial recreational use without agricultural activity, or idle land without valid enrollment in conservation programs. For properties with agricultural forest classifications (wooded land contiguous to agricultural parcels), the agreement should establish specific management provisions maintaining this classification. The contract should address property tax payment responsibilities, typically establishing that the landowner pays property taxes while adjusting rent rates accordingly. For properties enrolled in Wisconsin's Farmland Preservation Program, the agreement should include additional compliance requirements necessary to maintain tax credits, including conservation compliance and exclusive agricultural zoning restrictions. Finally, the lease should include notification requirements for any land use changes that could affect tax status, with remedies for violations that jeopardize the property's agricultural classification.

• Q: What conservation compliance provisions are essential in Wisconsin agricultural leases?

  • A: Wisconsin agricultural leases require specialized conservation compliance provisions reflecting the state's distinctive environmental priorities and regulatory framework. Agreements should explicitly address Wisconsin's unique Farmland Preservation Program conservation requirements, which mandate compliance with state soil and water conservation standards for participants receiving tax credits. Leases should incorporate Wisconsin's agricultural performance standards under NR 151, establishing clear responsibilities for compliance with manure management restrictions, soil erosion limits (T-value standards), nutrient management planning, and tillage setbacks from waterways. The contract should address participation in Wisconsin's Managed Forest Law or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program where applicable, clearly establishing enrollment responsibilities, prohibited activities, and payment distribution for lands in these programs. For properties within Wisconsin's targeted watersheds (particularly in northeastern and southwestern Wisconsin), agreements should include specialized provisions addressing the region's specific conservation requirements under TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) implementation plans. The lease should establish specific provisions regarding drain tile maintenance and waterway protection aligned with Wisconsin's distinctive drainage laws and wetland preservation requirements. Responsibility for developing and implementing nutrient management plans compliant with Wisconsin NRCS Standard 590 should be clearly assigned, including soil testing schedules, manure application records, and fertilizer application timing restrictions specific to Wisconsin's climate and growing season. The agreement should address Wisconsin's cover crop and residue management expectations, particularly important given the state's cold climate and erosion challenges. For properties near lakes or streams, the contract should establish livestock access restrictions and buffer requirements consistent with Wisconsin's waterway protection standards. Finally, the agreement should include provisions addressing potential participation in Wisconsin's growing number of conservation incentive programs, including DATCP's Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants, establishing who applies for such programs and how payments are distributed.

• Q: What rental payment structures work best for Wisconsin agricultural leases?

  • A: Wisconsin agricultural leases utilize several distinctive rental payment structures reflecting the state's diverse agricultural operations and unique market conditions. Cash rent remains most common, with Wisconsin's rates varying significantly by region—from premium rates exceeding $300/acre in eastern dairy regions to lower rates around $100/acre in northern counties with shorter growing seasons and sandier soils. Agreements should establish payment schedules aligned with Wisconsin's distinctive crop cycles and market patterns, typically using a split payment approach with 50% due March 1 (before planting) and 50% due November 1 (after harvest), though flexibility for weather delays common in Wisconsin's northern regions should be included. The contract should include provisions addressing Wisconsin's unique "flex rent" arrangements that adjust base rent according to yield, commodity prices, or both—particularly important given the state's weather variability and market fluctuations for key crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. For Wisconsin's substantial dairy industry, pasture leases often use animal unit month (AUM) calculations specific to dairy cattle needs, with provisions addressing manure management value in compliance with Wisconsin's nutrient management regulations. Crop share arrangements (common in central and southern Wisconsin) should address Wisconsin's specific crop insurance requirements, particularly for prevented planting scenarios given the state's sometimes wet springs. The lease should establish clear terms for custom farming arrangements, increasingly common among retiring Wisconsin farmers transitioning operations while maintaining land ownership. For specialty crop regions (particularly cranberries in central Wisconsin and cherries in Door County), agreements should include percentage-of-production payment structures with quality standards specific to these high-value crops. Agreements should address participation in Wisconsin's distinctive Farmland Preservation tax credit program, clearly establishing whether credits benefit the landowner exclusively or are factored into reduced rental rates. Finally, the contract should include provisions for documenting land improvements (particularly drainage tile in eastern Wisconsin's heavy soils) with appropriate rent adjustments or reimbursement schedules based on Wisconsin's typical improvement amortization schedules.