1. Common Contracts
Community Agreements: Reversing NIMBYism
(for example of an urban ag project that could have benefitted from this, see:
http://www.networx.com/article/gowanus-residents-protesting-community-g
• “Good Faith Agreement”
o Purpose: All parties execute this good faith agreement, which is effective
immediately. This agreement has been developed through discussion with the
community since 2011 and is intended to serve as a living document that <Name
of the farm> and the community mutually agree to revisit and amend as necessary.
o Clauses:
§ Parties’ Promises
§ Problem Resolution Strategy (e.g. mediation terms, when legal action will
be taken)
§ Process for reviewing and revising the agreement
Common Farmers Market Rules and Regulations
• Definitions Matter (What’s a farmers market? Who’s a vendor? What can be sold? What
constitutes a stall?)
• 14 common provisions: organizer/sponsor; market manager; market rules; 3rd party
carrying rules; application process and fees; criteria for selecting vendors; vendor rights;
length of market; market organization membership; required documents and permits; rule
and law compliance; enforcement procedures; hold harmless and indemnification; food
safety and sampling. * Vender Rules and Indemnity Agreement
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Membership Contracts
• Often function as both an introduction to the farm’s philosophy and/or methods, and a
binding contract
• Common provisions: share allocation process; nonrefundable cost of shares (full, ½, ¼);
share size explanation; distribution or pick-up arrangements; communication policy;
workshare and volunteer policy
Common Agricultural Contracts
• Production contracts (sales; personal service; bailment)
• Farm Leases (cash-rent; crop-share; hybrid)
• Lease-to-Own contracts for equipment
• Insurance (an ABSOLUTE must)