Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

If you are a landlord, farmer or agribusiness professional trying to figure out what to charge (or pay) for rented farmland in 2023, don’t miss the Farmland Rental Agreement workshop being held at the Alexandria Public Works Meeting room on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 9:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. 

Farmland rental rates are the largest input cost the farmer has. Landlords, farmers, and agri-business professionals should make plans to attend one of the free informative meetings held across Minnesota. Negotiating a fair rental agreement that satisfies the landowner and the farmer is a challenge. Examples, factsheets and worksheets to determine a fair farmland rental rate for both parties will be provided.

Topics covered

• Local historic and projected farmland rental rate trends

• Current farmland values and sales

• Determining a fair rental agreement 

• Input costs 

• Current corn and soybean prices 

• What is affordable rent?

• Rate of return to the landlord at current market values

• Flexible rental agreements 

The Douglas County Public Works Meeting Room is located at 526 Willow Drive, Alexandria; there is a separate entrance and parking lot for meeting room use. Meetings will last approximately two hours. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information or questions, contact the Douglas County Extension Office at 320-762-3890 or email trot0053@umn.edu.  Find us in the Douglas County Service Center Building located at 720 Fillmore Street in Alexandria.

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“Good farmers, who take seriously their duties as stewards of Creation and of their land’s inheritors, contribute to the welfare of society in more ways than society usually acknowledges, or even knows. These farmers produce valuable goods, of course; but they also conserve soil, they conserve water, they conserve wildlife, they conserve open space, they conserve scenery.”  ~Wendell Berry, Bringing it to the Table: Writings on Farming and Food