A farmland leasing meeting will be held at the end of July in Greene County.

The local ISU Extension office in Jefferson is hosting the meeting, which will focus on current cash rental rate and land value survey results, methods for determining fair rents for next year, strategies for writing and terminating lease agreements, and tennant and landlord communication tips. Extension Farm Management Specialist Tim Christensen says farmland leasing is a topic that is increasing across the state.

“According to our five year-ten year survey, in 2017 53-percent of Iowa land is under some kind of a leasing agreement, whether it’s crop share, flex lease or a regular lease.” 

Christensen adds, an important deadline is coming up soon for leases, which is why ISU Extension hosts these programs in the summer.

“We do it in late July and early August so people can get prepared (because) that September 1st is the termination date that the termination has to be put in writing by September 1st for the 2020 crop year. As we all know (in) the State of Iowa, if you do not terminate that lease by September 1st, last year’s lease just rolls over into the next year.”

The farmland leasing meeting takes place on Wednesday, July 31st at 9am at the Greene County Extension office. The cost to attend is $20 per person or $30 per couple. Pre-register at least two days prior to July 31st to avoid a $5 late fee. Registration is required by calling or stopping by the Extension office in Jefferson.