Farmland Protection | Food Systems

This guide provides an overview of conservation easements as tools to help protect farmland. It offers definitions and explains the application process for conversation easements in the state of West Virginia. It also addresses the types of developments permitted and prohibited in a conservation easement within the state. Permitted uses include single-family residences and associated buildings, agricultural activities, and forestry; prohibited uses include industrial and commercial activities, subdivisions, and impervious surfaces that exceed 2% of the conservation easement area.