Agricultural Land Easement (ALE)

An Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) is a legal agreement where landowners permanently restrict their property to prevent it from being used for non-agricultural development, such as housing or commercial buildings. This easement is often granted to government agencies or conservation organizations to preserve farmland, ensuring it remains available for farming activities and protects rural landscapes. By doing so, ALEs help maintain local food production, promote sustainable land use, and prevent urban sprawl, all while allowing the landowner to retain ownership and continue farming or other approved agricultural uses.