The term refers to annual crops cultivated by a tenant farmer on leased land. These crops are legally considered the tenant’s personal property, even though they are attached to the land. Common examples include corn, wheat, or other annually planted and harvested crops. This designation allows the tenant the right to re-enter the property to harvest these crops even after the lease has expired, provided the planting occurred before the lease termination.
This concept protects the investment of labor and resources a tenant farmer puts into cultivating crops. It provides security and encourages agricultural productivity by ensuring the farmer can reap the benefits of their efforts. Historically, this legal provision addressed fairness concerns, preventing landlords from unjustly benefiting from a tenant’s work simply by terminating the lease before harvest time. It acknowledges the distinct difference between naturally occurring vegetation and crops requiring annual planting and cultivation.
