Renting/Leasing Land

[JHubnuts]

Hey folks. I could really use some general guidance here. I aim to do some contract growing for some people and need to lease the land to do it. I haven't done this before so i don't know what type of situations are common. Like flat fee per year, a percentage of the harvests profits, or what? I understand that different deals may work for different land owners. I haven't approached any land owners yet, but would like to have something to present. Thinking i would like to have a 5 year lease min. to start because i'll be planting rhubarb.

 

[JHubnuts]

Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks. Jason

 

[paul]

I think most of us will fall into 2 groups;

Those who rent or lease farm land, a 20 acre patch seems small, 100's of acres is prefered. Most of these are 1 to 3 year cash leases and are currently in high demand, and typically you need to secure them by September for the following year. Some regions still do a crop-share, but most are converting to cash rent. In today's world of crazy ag prices, it is difficult to get a long-term - 5 year - lease.

Hobbiests that use small bits of land for free or to help control weeds and perhaps help lower taxes because the ground can be classified 'ag' for tax purposes. This is often odd shaped or poorer land and gotten for free to real cheap.

Replies you get will might not fit your situation, as I think you might be looking for very good, very productive garden type of ground?

Location means a lot too, if you could mention a state at least for an idea of where and just what type of farming and size of operation - 1/2 acre hobby, or 1000 acre commercial deal.

--->Paul

 

[Ron/PA]

I'm just going to think out loud here, so don't take anything personally, rather think about it as my lack of experience in the rhubarb industry.

We rent out a couple fields now and then, always 40 acres or less, and for anywhere from 1-3 years depending on our plans. It's always cash rent and [b:3249ce2c1f]ALWAYS[/b:3249ce2c1f] to a known operation in our immediate area. Now the word always is most important because while we don't get top prices, we do want to know we'll get paid, and we do expect to have the soil in as good a condition as it was when we rented it out.

Here's why I would rent to you.

I like the idea of a guy trying new ideas and making it work.

Here's why I wouldn't rent to you.

I don't know you or your practices.
I don't know how you treat the soil you farm, either yours or rented.
I have no idea what kind of residue rhubarb will leave behind when you're done.
I have no idea what rhubarb takes from the soil, and if you'll be able to replenish it as fast as it's taken.
I have no idea what kind of tillage is required to grow rhubarb and how that would work with my operation.
I don't know what kind of weed control method you'll be using, and how that would work with my operation.
I don't know what fertilizers or chemicals you'd be using to farm.

By now you no doubt think I'm being negative, and just bashing you, what I'm getting at, is all the reasons I wouldn't rent to you are the answers you need to have right up front on the tip of your tongue when you call on that first landlord. Well that and a checkbook with some checks left in it so's you know you aren't broke.

I'm really interested in how this develops, and hope you'll keep is informed how it goes for you. I'd love to follow this and would hope you'll even post some pix.

Good luck,
Ron

 

[JHubnuts]

I'm located in South east Vermont. The terrain and soil type varies greatly here, even across short distances. 100+ acre fields here are big, and few. Ground closest to the Connecticut river are most desirable, as it has very good soil and is easy to work. i had heard that it was some of the richest soil in the world, next to the soil by the Nile river. Whether that is true or not i don't know. I'm looking for 1 acre to start.

 

[flying belgian]

I don't know what the housing development market is like by you but here in so. Mn. it is really depressed. Is there some land that a developer bought several years ago that is not taking off and has been plotted? It is just sitting idle and he has to hire a lawn service co. to mow the weeds down twice a year? Maybe you could approach him and see if you could garden some of that. It would be win, win. You would have a place for your garden and he would not have to hire it mowed. Other wise sometimes a large industry has some acreage that they bought when they built for anticipated expansion that never happened. Maybe back in some corner behind the water retention pond they would let you till some up. I don't know, I'm just brain stormin here.

 

[JHubnuts]

Thank you Ron, I appreciate your thoughts.I'll keep you informed of any progress.

Jason