“Negotiation in Agriculture: Agricultural Leases” Train-the-Trainer Extension Program

Extension professionals across the United States increasingly field complex questions regarding agricultural lease agreements, as the scope of leasing has expanded to encompass cropland, pasture, public land, and renewable energy production. Yet many Extension personnel lack formal training or experience in negotiating and developing such leases. To address this gap, Extension faculty designed and implemented the “Negotiation in Agriculture: Agricultural Leases” Train-the-Trainer Extension Program, utilizing a hybrid format with both in-person and online components. The in-person workshop, conducted in November 2024, featured expert presentations and a scenario-based group project to foster practical skills. Post-program evaluations indicated that all participants rated the training as at least “moderately useful,” with average self-assessed knowledge in all topics increasing by more than one point on a 5-point scale. The paper further describes the online course component, strategies for integrating these materials into broader Extension curricula, and recommendations for shifting stakeholder approaches toward more comprehensive and informed agricultural lease development. This program demonstrates a replicable model for enhancing Extension Educator/Agent capacity in agricultural negotiation and lease education.