Shenandoah County established this program to allow landowners to permanently protect their family farms from development through the donation of a conservation easement. A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement in which the landowner agrees to place specific restrictions on the use and development of their property. In many cases, landowners can reap significant income tax and estate tax benefits by donating an easement. It certain circumstances, landowners may receive payments to offset the reduction in fair market value due to the easement on the land.
A Conservation Easement Authority (CEA) was established to carry out this program. Learn more about the CEA and the possibilities for your land here.