Landowners, tenants and other agribusiness professionals interested in farmland ownership, management and leasing agreements should plan to attend one of ISU Extension’s farmland leasing workshops in July and August.
Extension research indicates that the average age of Iowa farmland owners continues to rise, and children and surviving spouses of farmers are less likely to continue operating the farm by themselves. These factors are contributing to the increase in farmland leasing, said Melissa O’Rourke, ISU Extension farm and agribusiness management specialist. Increases in land values and cash rents have heightened interest in farm leasing arrangements.