Michigan farmer secures 131-acre family farm with conservation easement

John Boyer, a fourth-generation farmer from East Jordan, reacquired the 131 acres his ancestors once farmed after it had been sold outside the family. Concerned that the parcel might be broken up for housing, he sold the future development rights to Little Traverse Conservancy in 2026 through a conservation easement, which permanently restricts subdivision and construction. Boyer retains ownership and can continue farming, while the easement remains binding regardless of any future sale or inheritance.

The decision comes amid statewide trends of declining farm acreage, rising land values—about $6,800 per acre last year—and growing pressure from developers and renewable-energy projects. Experts note that conservation easements offer a way for farmers to capture some land value without relinquishing ownership, though they typically yield less money than a full sale. Boyer’s action underscores the tension between preserving agricultural heritage and the economic incentives to develop rural land.