Johnny Klemme Featured in AARP “25 Great Ways to Leave a Legacy That Lasts”

In AARP’s article “25 Great Ways to Leave a Legacy That Lasts,” one key strategy highlighted for landowners is placing property into a conservation easement. The article notes that farmland and acreage often represent a major part of a family’s story, and protecting that land can help preserve both its use and its legacy for future generations.

Johnny Klemme, author of American Family Farmland: Preserving Values and Creating Wealth and principal at Geswein Farm & Land in Lafayette, Indiana, is featured in the article offering guidance on this approach. He recommends that landowners first identify which parts of their property—such as farmland, open space, forest, or water—they want to preserve long-term.

Klemme also emphasizes the importance of working with a knowledgeable land advisor to understand current land value, future marketability, and how a conservation easement may impact heirs and long-term planning. He advises landowners to then consult reputable conservation organizations such as the American Farmland Trust, the Land Trust Alliance, or The Farmers Land Trust to evaluate options and define what uses would be allowed or restricted.

Finally, he recommends involving an attorney experienced in easements, along with a tax advisor, to fully understand the legal and financial implications.

While a will transfers ownership, a conservation easement permanently protects the land itself—helping ensure it remains productive, cared for, and aligned with a family’s values for generations to come.