Agree on how you’ll communicate

Miscommunication is the #1 source of tension, even when both people mean well. • Decide how you’ll talk (call/text/email) and how often (ex: once in spring + once after the season). • Pick one best contact method for time-sensitive issues. Prompt: “What’s the easiest way to reach you if something comes up?”

Be clear about goals and what success looks like

Operators can’t hit a target they haven’t been told about. • Share your top 1–2 goals and ask what feels realistic. • Clarify what “good progress” looks like (even informally). Prompt: “If we focused on one goal this year, what would be a realistic step forward?”

Talk through tradeoffs upfront

Many improvements have real-world tradeoffs (time, cost, flexibility). • Ask what changes would mean for workload, timing, equipment, and risk. • If you want a practice change, ask, “What would make this workable for you?” Prompt: “What would this change cost you in time or flexibility, and how could we make it worth it?”

This doesn’t have to be formal. A one-page summary helps everyone stay on the same page. • Who handles what: basic repairs, fences/water access, weed concerns, who to contact, and when it’s okay to access the property. • How you’ll communicate before big changes: for example - trying a new approach in a field/pasture, changing how a problem area is managed, or starting a project that could affect soil, grass, or water. • How you’ll handle unexpected issues: drought, flooding, storm damage, invasive/noxious weeds, or livestock/water issues. Prompt: “Can we jot down a simple ‘how we work together’ note so we’re on the same page?”

Do a quick “walk-and-talk” when possible

One field visit a year can save ten phone calls. • Walk a problem spot together. • Take a couple photos so you both have the same reference. Prompt: “Could we do a quick walk-through this season, just to look at a couple spots together?”

Keep the tone collaborative

Most operators are doing their best within weather, markets, and time. • Start with what’s going well. • Ask questions before suggesting solutions. Prompt: “Help me understand what you’re seeing out there.”

Make it easy to raise issues early

Small problems become big ones when nobody wants to bring them up. • Agree that either of you can flag a concern early without blame. Prompt: “If either of us notices an issue, can we agree to talk about it early, before it turns into a bigger problem?”

Start here | NOLO SD

START HERE

FIRST STEPS FOR NOLOS

If you own ag land or grassland but don’t work the land yourself, you’re a

NOLO (non-operator landowner).

Here you’ll learn your role, how to get started, how to have good conversations with your tenant/operator, and where to find local resources and support.

Jump to:

NOLO Role | Get Started | Goals Checklist | Conversation Help

Follow-up Plan | Find Local Help & Support |

Resource Library | FAQ

YOUR ROLE AS A NOLO

You don’t need to run the operation, but you help set the direction for your land.

As a NOLO, your role is to:

Know your land and leases (acres, boundaries, key areas, what’s agreed to).
Set one or two long-term goals (production, soil, water, habitat, legacy).
Check in regularly with your tenant or operators (what’s working, what needs attention, what to adjust next).
Write down what you agree to (roles, timelines, and when you’ll check in again).
Use local support when helpful (conservation districts, USDA-NRCS, Extension, advisors, programs, and partner agencies).

What you’re not expected to do:

Make daily management decisions
Push changes before you and your tenants/operators are ready
Know every conservation term or program
Solve everything in one season

3 STEPS TO GET STARTED

You can start small. Here are three simple first steps:

1.
Pick 1-2 goals for your land

A clear goal makes decisions easier and keeps everyone on the same page.

Go To Checklist

2.
Have a short check-in.

A quick conversation is enough. What’s working? Anything worrying you? What would help most right now?

Go To Conversation Help

3.
Set the next step.

Agree on one small action, a timeline, and when you’ll check in again.

Go To Follow-Up Plan

WHAT TO HAVE HANDY

You do not need much. These basics help you and your tenant or operator get on the same page quickly.

Map or Field Names

Helps you point to the same place.

Lease or Rental Info

Keeps everyone clear on what's agreed to.

Areas to Watch
Gives you something specific to focus on.

Contact Method

Call, text, email -

makes follow up easy.

START WITH ONE SHARED GOAL

Choosing just 1–2 goals keeps things simple and helps you and

your tenant/operator focus on what matters most.

Tip: Save this for later by taking a screenshot, or print the checklist using the button below.

CONVERSATION HELP

A good conversation doesn’t have to be awkward or technical. These prompts help you and your tenant/operator stay aligned on goals, what’s working, and what to do next.

Start positive

“What’s working well on the land right now?”
“What’s one thing you feel good about from this past season/year?”

Understand what they’re seeing

“What challenges are you running into?”
“Any spots on the property you’re keeping an eye on?”

Connect to your goals

“My top goals are: ___ and ___. What feels realistic this year?”
“If we picked one small improvement to focus on, what would help most?”

Make a simple plan

“What’s one next step we can agree on?”
“When should we check in again?”

NOLO & Tenant Relationship Tips

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02
03
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This doesn’t have to be formal. A one-page summary helps everyone stay on the same page. • Who handles what: basic repairs, fences/water access, weed concerns, who to contact, and when it’s okay to access the property. • How you’ll communicate before big changes: for example - trying a new approach in a field/pasture, changing how a problem area is managed, or starting a project that could affect soil, grass, or water. • How you’ll handle unexpected issues: drought, flooding, storm damage, invasive/noxious weeds, or livestock/water issues. Prompt: “Can we jot down a simple ‘how we work together’ note so we’re on the same page?”
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FOLLOW-UP PLAN

Leave the conversation with one clear next step and a check-in date,

it prevents confusion later.

Write down a few basics so you both remember what you agreed to:

1. Pick a focus

What you’re focusing on first (use the goals checklist if you need ideas).

2. Next step

Choose one action each and set a timeline.

3. Who’s doing what

Who will handle each part so nothing gets missed.

4. Check-in date

When you’ll talk again, pick a date or even just a month.

5. Best way to reach each other

Call, text, email, or in-person.

6. Notes (if needed)

A problem spot to revisit, photos to take, or questions to follow-up on.

FIND LOCAL HELP & SUPPORT

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Local partners can help you understand options, talk through goals, and connect you to programs and services that fit your land.

Conservation Districts

Find your local district for on-the-ground guidance and local contacts who know your area and can help connect you to the right programs.

Find Your Local District

USDA-NRCS South Dakota

Connect with NRCS for conservation planning support, technical guidance, and information on financial assistance programs for your land.

Find NRCS Support in South Dakota

Dakota Conservation Network

Use DCN to quickly find conservation programs, grants, services, events, and local contacts across South Dakota in one searchable directory.

Browse DCN

SDSU Extension

South Dakota
Grassland Coalition

South Dakota
Soil Health Coalition

Offers guides, workshops, and local expertise on farming, ranching, soil health, grazing, and land stewardship.

Explore Extension Resources

The Grassland Coalition connects landowners and producers with grazing education, demonstrations, peer learning, and resources focused on healthy grasslands.

View Grazing Resources & Events

The Soil Health Coalition shares training, events, and practical resources on soil health practices and systems that protect and improve your land over time.

Explore Soil Health Resources

South Dakota
Dept. of Agriculture &
Natural Resources

South Dakota DANR connects landowners and producers with state guidance and programs related to agriculture, water, trees/forestry, and environmental resources.

Explore DANR Resources

South Dakota
Game, Fish, & Parks

Works with landowners to strengthen wildlife habitat on working lands. Their landowner programs can support habitat improvements, public hunting access, and wildlife-damage reduction, with Habitat Pays helping connect you to the right resources.

Explore Landowner Programs

RESOURCE LIBRARY

A collection of printable tools and references to help you get started.

Quick Start Tools

NOLO Starter Checklist

Goals Checklist

Check-in Questions

Follow-up Plan

Conversation and Relationship Tools

Questions to Ask Your Tenant/Operator

Conservation Prompts & Tips

Annual Check-in Agenda

Lease and Agreement Helpers

Lease Basics for NOLOs

Conservation in a Lease

Conservation Practice Explainers

Cropland

Forest Land

Grass & Pasture

Wildlife & Habitat

Planning and Assessment Basics

Glossary: Common Conservation Terms

Conservation Planning: What It is & How it Works

What to Expect During a Site Visit

Questions to Ask During a First Visit

Funding and Program Navigation

Cost-Share Basics: How It Usually Works

How to Choose a Program

Application Checklist

Questions to Ask Before You Apply

Frequently asked questions

Common Questions

Lease and Responsibilites

Talking with Tenant or Operator

That is okay. Start with what you do know: your goals for the land and one or two areas you want to keep an eye on. Use local support for the technical side. Learn the basics: SDSU Extension (https://extension.sdstate.edu/agriculture)- offers plain-language articles, South Dakota specific guides, and learning materials on agriculture. USDA-NRCS Conservation Practices Standards (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/conservation-practice-standards)- to understand common conservation practices and what they involve.