National Conference Lifts Up Heirs Property Issues

Rally 2023: The National Land Conservation Conference was held in Portland, Oregon Sept. 6–9. This annual conference brings together more than 1,500 people who share your passion for conservation will re-energize and inspire you.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund provides resources to support the development of cooperatives, land retention, and economic development for Black landowners, and advocates for equitable policies and programs that benefit Black farmers, landowners and cooperatives.

For almost a century, the number of Black farmers and Black-owned land steadily declined. One of the primary reasons for that decline was and continues to be heirs’ property. More than 60 percent of Black farmers currently operate on heirs’ property.

The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center provides legal resources, education, and support to property owners, nonprofits, and municipalities to resolve heirs' property and related issues.

The National Agricultural Library Heirs' Property webpage provides a list of selected resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Law Center, nonprofit direct service organizations, and more.

Land is by far one of the greatest and most valuable assets African American farmers possess. The causes of under-utilization and loss of rural black land are numerous and complex, but none is more notable than heirs property. 

The Center for Heirs' Property Preservation supports historically-underserved families by providing direct legal services, legal education and assistance to protect heirs' property.

A compilation of resources and research on heirs' property compiled by the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University.

Thank you for attending the 2023 New York Land Conservation Conference! Any session materials received from the presenters will be posted for attendees to access through Friday, June 30.

Join your peers from a spectrum of land, water and community-centered conservation organizations from across New York! With educational sessions, field trips, networking opportunities and more, the conference is essential for anyone working in the New York land conservation sector.