By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor

Building on the success of previous years, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has planned five rancher leasing workshops for 2020.

“We are so excited to continue offering our rancher leasing workshop around the state in 2020,” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Agricultural Law Specialist Tiffany Dowell Lashmet said. “We’ve had such a positive response to the program and look forward to being able to share this knowledge with people who may just be entering into leases for the first or even longtime lessees or landowners. There’s something for everyone.”

The workshops have been hosted by Lashmet and AgriLife Extension Agricultural Economist Greg Kaase for several years.

To date, more than 1,200 people have gained invaluable knowledge and insight from attending the program.

Grazing, hunting and livestock leases will be discussed, including examples of how each type of lease can be structured and potential issues that may arise from poorly-written or incorrectly-worded leases. Economic resources available through AgriLife and landowner liability also will be covered.

“Whether lessee or landowner, you’ll leave with information you can start using right then to protect yourself from liabilities when dealing with leases,” Lashmet said.

The half-day program has a $50 registration fee and includes a copy of the Rancher Leasing Handbook and lunch.

The handbook has information on legal issues, landowner liability, designing lease payment structures and calculating payments. Sample lease forms are also included to guide landowners and renters when drafting agreements.

Dates and locations for the five workshops are:

  • Jan. 16, Palestine
  • March 31, Abilene
  • April 24, La Vernia
  • Aug. 17, Brenham
  • Sept. 14, Fredericksburg

To register, visit agriliferegister.tamu.edu/organizationListings/175, and select the workshop you wish to attend.

For more information, contact Lashmet at 806-677-5681 or Kaase at 979-458-3348.

Lashmet also has more information on the program on her blog at agrilife.org/texasaglaw/.