【Objective】This study explores the impacts of risk aversion and social networks on the contract period of farmland transfer, so as to promote the long-term transfer of farmland. 【Method】CHFS 2015 data of China Household Financial Survey were used for the empirical testing of the research hypothesis. A Logit model is used for a benchmark regression, and a probit model, OLS model and heterogeneity test are used for robustness tests. 【Result】The coefficients of influence of risk aversion variables on the long-term transfer contract of farmland are negative and significant at the level of 0.1. The estimated coefficients of the total social investment are positive but not significant. The estimated coefficients of the interaction item between the risk aversion and the total social investment are positive and significant at the level of 0.1. The risk aversion has a negative effect on farmers’ long-term land transfer contract selection. The direct role of social networks in the selection of such contracts is not significant. Social networks play a regulatory role, which can mitigate the negative impacts of risk avoidance on the aforementioned contract selection. 【Conclusion】The following measures should be used to increase the possibility of risk-averse farmers choosing long-term land transfer contracts: reduce the various risks faced by farmers in the long-term land transfer and focus on building and maintaining an effective social network for farmers.