How does everyone go about contacting new land rentees?

Question

Young farmer looking for help to make new contact with new  potential land renters. I am having trouble expanding my acres? Any ideas are helpful. Located in Nebraska

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Same problem I have where I’m at if ground does come up for rent they won’t rent it to the little guy. Also a lot of poaching going on. We used to be a community now it’s pretty cut throat there’s like 5 farmers who rent or own all the land in 40 square miles. Not only that but if land does comes up for sale they band together and drive the price so high no one else can afford. I had to leave the area just so I could continue to farm. Best advice I have is sell your soul and get a really rich backer like they do. Central Ne

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Don't be afraid to take your shot when you get your opportunity. Cold calling or newspaper ads probably won't get you far. But if you know someone and have a good relationship there don't be afraid to at least bring it up that you would be interested. No harm in that.  It's kind of like dating - a lot of times relationships don't start because both sides are afraid to ask.  And don't be pushy if nothing comes of it.  Kissing ass, being a good "community member" all of that BS doesn't work for the most part.  I don't know one renter who got on it because the landlord cold called the guy because he heard he was a good guy. It's always who you know just like most things.

Maybe buying is more your thing, too.  Interest rates are low. You may find ownership to be close to rent price. You can't grow fast that way but you at least own it.  History has shown that the guys that wanted to rent everything and not buy didn't last. The guys that paid down land are the ones who made it.  In this rental climate where rent is high and prices are low you aren't going to get rich renting. And the sweetheart deals that people have that are $100 below market rate nobody wants to give up.  And they are probably below market because landowner either doesn't care about money or is too timid to ask for more.

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I’m a small guy in a huge pond so to speak. I also have a hard time finding land with the corporate guys killing us on high rents and over price purchases of land. My own family cut me out for the big money of corporate when they retired now I’m struggling to keep going at something I am very passionate about. I can’t afford to play a cutthroat game and the only land I can find the big guys come in farm it to a point it won’t benefit them and they put nothing back into the ground. So if I get it I pay to much bringing the soul back to profit then another big guy comes in and steals it from me again. I wish there was a good way for us little farmers to get land and be able to afford to fight off the big guys when we do. South central Michigan farmer.

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What commodity are you trying to grow? We have farmers in Nebraska (mainly southeast) willing to lease acres to Hemp farmers.

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Picked up over 400 acres this year.  They liked the way we farmed.  Never had any luck contacting landowners and picking ground up that way.

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Do a good job with what you already have. Be humble and a good neighbor.  It will come to you over time

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I didn’t read read other posts before I responded.  This why farming is what I love.  All over we as farmers still in general have respect and responsibility as a priority in our business and life.  Thank you all the other farmers out there.  Keep up the good work.

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I feel your pain, been at it for four years have offered 35 to 55 dollars more an acre on a few pieces of ground, but yet they stick with current person farming it, claiming they are good renters even tho they are way under county average for dryland rent. Does that make sense to you cause it doesn't to me?

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Well there’s lots of wisdom in many of these posts. I’ve been in the game for 30 years now and it has changed drastically since the beginning. I’m a great people person so if I can just get face to face with a landowner looking for a renter I’ll usually win. I kiss ass when I need to. Be humble.  They do OWN the land!!  I don’t squabble over $50 rent increases I just suck it up and figure out a way to improve my marketing. I’ve watched it happen slot when people outbid someone $50 and then the next year complain to the landlord that they can’t make at that price and the landlord lowers it becsuse he’s  too embarrassed to let others know that he screwed up. Other observation is that many landowners now are absentee and have no clue what’s going so they live in fear that they may never find someone to  farm Their land if they lose who they have.   Sometimes you just have to throw it out there to a landowner that has a tenant retiring in the near future that your interested. Plant the seed. Advise to never undercut another that has a good relationship.  Your character is priceless.

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Never went and asked anyone for more farmland.   All the land I rent they came and asked me.  Picked up 240 acres in 2020 this way.   Patience and doing a good job on what you have is the best way.   Can be frustrating better off in the long run.   Some land owners are weary of the young guys paying high rent because they tend to not make it very long and land lords don't want to be looking for new tenants every year.

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Advertising in local paper; develop a web site and let area bankers, seed dealers, chemical suppliers, auctioneers, real estate agents aware of your desires, also. Starting custom farming can get you access to more clients.

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Go to the court house in your county. You can look up who is paying the taxes. They will provide name and current address then call information for the number. Bingo you are in touch. I would only check into land that is managed poorly, don’t offer more than the county average for rent. Only offer to be a better steward of the land. Out of pocket land owners sometimes have no idea if their property is being abused. As to those who say to be patient and wait life is short. This will require thick skin you will piss someone off. This is simple for you to get it someone else has to lose it. Just don’t back yourself into a corner with high cash rents. I’m sure someone on here will grill me for this post, but it’s my honest opinion.

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came back to the farm  8 years ago full time and several years part time before that.  Have hogs, is the only way I can be back.  I rented 100 acres my first year back and have only picked up 35 acres since coming back.  Try to do things right and be neighborly but that just doesn't seem to do it anymore...Also hate the poaching tactic.  Not that I haven't had opportunities to "bid" on rent.  but that always gets to be a pissing contest and goes to someone just wanting to spread out equipment/labor cost over more acres and having minimal or no margin.  Last I checked its a business and needs to be ran as one.  I say that, BUT I don't know their numbers either so maybe they have a lot of paid off ground and they spread the rent cost over more acres and then it makes sense??? Keep hearing how there is sooooo much land going to change hands in the next 5-10 years...Been hearing that for 10 years. IDK very very frustrating and I feel your pain.

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We moved to the area 7 years ago. We started with the 120 ac farm we bought with 230 dairy cows. Like others have said, if you treat the land like it is your own other people notice. We now run close to 1100 acres thru word of mouth. We haven't rented farmland out from anyone, just did a good job, worked hard and tried to innovative and adaptable. When the phone rings you chase it. We are to the point now that we can start letting go of land that is farther out or smaller pieces. I had an old farmer stop by shortly after we started and point out that in 10 years most of the farmers around would be retired with no next generation. It is starting to happen. Be ready when it does. Pay the rent on time or early if possible. We always give out gift baskets to landlords every year near Christmas with a letter thanking them for our success and explaining how the year went. A lot of landlords are out of the Ag picture and do not have a clue what all goes into growing an acre of crop anymore. I also echo others who have said "Rome wasn't built overnight"

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Let the landlords come to you.  I have never succeeded at acquiring more rental ground by asking first.  Let your farming practices speak for themselves.  Dont run other producers over either and always be respectful to other producers, even if they do not deserve it.

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I'm a smaller farmer myself. I'm just in the process of paying for the farm that has been in my family for over 100 years. It's 220 acres. I also currently rent my cousins farm next door that is 145 acres. I spend alot of time mowing turn rows and farm lanes. I keep the turn rows limbed back and keep limbs picked up. I keep the snow plowed in the driveways. I do this because I want to be proud when I drive by it everyday, not that I get alot of passer by travel saying it looks good. I'm surrounded by big farmers or guys that have kissed ass to get things left to them. That's not me if I can't earn it I don't want it. So what I do is help those other farmer when they need help, and I'm caught up. I was actually helping one the other day when he got a phone from a family member saying a friend of his is looking for a new tenant for his 80 acres. I told him that if he didn't think he had the time for it I wouldn't mind talking to them. It's all about networking and helping you fellow farmers even when they don't ask. I'm a firm believer that what goes around comes around.

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Be involved in the community. Build relationships with everyone. Don’t try and rent ground that is currently being farmed, you will end up making a bad name for yourself. Be willing to try new things/crops. Do your best job on the acres you have and growth will find you. I was told when I started farming, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” I didn’t get where I wanted until year 13. It takes time. I’d be willing to share some more if you reach out to me personally.

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I agree with ***** & **** and don't go a rent ground that is already farmed unless the owner approaches you. Mow the side ditches, plow there snow, offer to help them when they need small handy man jobs done. Be innovative and try new things. I was the first one to try a new crop to our area and did not think anything of it but other people did and got noticed. Started using covers and that got notice to. Get involved with your end users to be there preferred supplier then they will sell for you as a grower. Do the same with your extension office to do trials for them to get your name out there for people to notice. Be innovative, work hard and do onto others as you would want done to you and it will turn around.

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Do not be desperate for land.  Focus on what you have.  Be a good neighbor.  Be prepared for more.  No one can predict the future.

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Forty years ago I took over my Dad's small farm.  The first land I bought I was competing against two large established farmers.  That is life, just deal with it.  You need to be one of the best farmers in the area. I planted on time, kept things mowed up.  I got involved in several organizations.  Your reputation is everything. It takes a while to build it.  I was able to rent a farm when a neighbor retired.  I planted a sweet corn patch for him,  mowed his farmstead, cleared snow in the winter.  He started telling other farmers when they retired that I needed to be their tenant.  I have never rented any land out from under anyone.  I have told widows I know you are busy with lots of decisions to make.  I won't bother you but i just want you to know I would be interested in renting your farm.  It is important for people to know that you are interested. Just an ad in the local newspaper saying you would like to rent some land can bring surprising results.  Our operation is now large, over 5,000 acres.  We have bought a lot of land from landlords over the years.. We are currently buying two landlords property that just passed away. There is one thing to remember, every farm starts out small at some point, may have been several generations ago.  Always take care of any land as if it was your own.

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Started farming in late 1980s.  Don’t poach.  We mowed grader ditches fixed farms up.  Never tried to rip landlord off.  Will take a few years for people to notice but after awhile you will get offers.   Bidding rent having to be high bid hard to make money.  We today turn farmland down cause are growth is to fast.   We have never poached a farm.  But do go visit with older farmers.    Good luck. Don’t sell your soul you have to live in the area.

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In response to the guy that offered 50/acre more and the landlord said no, I’m sticking with my guy,  Just remember what goes around comes around. Be thankful those landlords said no because someday that could be one of your landlords getting that offer from the “next big time operator” in your county. It will come to you if you do things right. I came back after college with the hopes of renting to expand my dads 700 acre operation. I managed a hog confinement, drove for fed ex Ground at night, built and moved grain bins in the summer, mowed lawns commercially and anything else I could do to make enough to buy my first farm. It took 10 years to buy my first 80, and I bought another one every two to three years since then, and landowners started calling me offering me their land to rent. I took My fathers (now retired) operation from a 700 acre operation to 2000 in 5 years. I only bid on one farm, the county farm, which comes up every three years. This will be my 3rd year and I’m sure it will be tough to hang onto next year...

I am not getting rich, the last two years have been a living hell actually, but I am building equity. If you like being highly leveraged, cash poor and asset rich, you chose the right profession.

Be patient, go to Church and get active in your community, farm bureau, county committees or anything that puts you in a position to network. Work really hard and don’t set expectations too high.

Suddenly it will just fall into place..

Call (844) 200-FARM

How does everyone go about contacting new land rentees?

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