General Lease Terms & Requirements

• Agricultural lease contracts have a maximum term of five-years, with an opportunity for renewal at the end of the lease term.
• To lease, you must be at least 18 years old.
• Any entity seeking to obtain a lease with the State of New Mexico must be registered and listed as “in good standing” with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office. This information will be verified as part of the application process.
• Each agricultural lessee is responsible for protecting the leased state trust lands from waste and trespass.
• Lessees are required to fence the leased lands, unless the lands are used in conjunction with adjacent property or are covered by an exchange of use agreement.
• Agricultural leases may be issued for purposes such as animal husbandry, cultivated land, or other agricultural-related uses.
• Any improvements made to leased land, or subletting of leased land require prior authorization by the commissioner and must be applied for, and may require a cultural property survey.