Michigan Farmer Sells Development Rights to Protect 131-Acre Family Farm

John Boyer sold development rights on his 131-acre Michigan farm to prevent future housing development.

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As of 2026-09-03 22:22 UTC. Market figures are as the cited sources reported them at that time and may have moved since. This is news, not investment advice.

In 2026, John Boyer sold the development rights for his 131-acre property to the Little Traverse Conservancy through a conservation easement. ^[1] John Boyer, a farmer in East Jordan, Michigan, purchased back his family's 131-acre property after it had changed hands several times over the decades. ^[2] Farmland owned by farmers in Michigan fell by about 208,000 acres, or 3.6%, between 2017 and 2022, according to USDA data. ^[3] In 2022, Michigan had approximately 9.5 million acres devoted to farming, a decrease of roughly 3% from the 9.8 million acres recorded in 2017. ^[4] Michigan farmland was valued at approximately $6,800 per acre in 2025, representing a 7.8% increase from 2024 and outpacing the national average of 4.3%. ^[5] John Boyer stated that the decision was driven by a fear that productive farm fields would be lost forever if the land were divided into smaller parcels for development. ^[6] The conservation easement restricts future residential and commercial development on the property, ensuring it cannot be divided for housing even if ownership changes. ^[7]

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In 2026, John Boyer sold the development rights for his 131-acre property to the Little Traverse Conservancy through a conservation easement. · The Times Of India

John Boyer, a farmer in East Jordan, Michigan, purchased back his family's 131-acre property after it had changed hands several times over the decades. · The Times Of India

Farmland owned by farmers in Michigan fell by about 208,000 acres, or 3.6%, between 2017 and 2022, according to USDA data. · Investigate Midwest

In 2022, Michigan had approximately 9.5 million acres devoted to farming, a decrease of roughly 3% from the 9.8 million acres recorded in 2017. · Investigate Midwest

Michigan farmland was valued at approximately $6,800 per acre in 2025, representing a 7.8% increase from 2024 and outpacing the national average of 4.3%. · Investigate Midwest

John Boyer stated that the decision was driven by a fear that productive farm fields would be lost forever if the land were divided into smaller parcels for development. · The Times Of India

The conservation easement restricts future residential and commercial development on the property, ensuring it cannot be divided for housing even if ownership changes. · The Times Of India

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