UW-Extension hosts farmland renting workshops

Gillett/Coleman — University of Wisconsin-Extension offices of Marinette and Oconto counties are providing owners of farmland and agricultural producers an opportunity to find out about land rent realities and options.

A pair of free workshops, Tuesday, Dec. 6 and Thursday, Dec. 8, will focus on the different aspects that need to be considered when renting agricultural land.

UW-Extension Crops/Soils Agent Scott Reuss will lead a discussion of the details that should considered when negotiating a farm rental contract.

“These certainly include price, but other factors such as length of lease, any limitations you may place on the property, and many other aspects can all be negotiated into the contract,” said Reuss.

There are also many different leasing options available and Reuss will detail some of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of annual or multi-year leasing contracts.

“Landowners and farmers who work together to build a good rental contract are also more likely to form longer-term relationships that benefit both parties,” Reuss stated. “Having flexibility and understanding of agricultural realities allows landowners to capture maximum value from their land investment, while still allowing a profitable opportunity for the producer renting their land.”

Multiple contract templates, ranging from extremely simple to more complex arrangements, will be available as handouts. The discussion will focus on basic cropland rental situations, but can expand to building leases, grazing land, and other situations which attendees are interested in discussing.

The first session begins at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Pound Town Hall, located on Marinette Cty. Hwy. B, on the east edge of the Village of Coleman.

The second session will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Gillett Community Center, 200 E. Main St., Gillett, starting at 10 a.m.      

There are no fees for attending either of these programs, nor is pre-registration required.

For more information, contact Scott Reuss in the Marinette County office at 715-732-7510 or via e-mail at scott.reuss@ces.uwex.edu  or contact Sarah Mills-Lloyd in the Oconto office at 920-834-6845. Additional information on farmland leasing information is available at http://www.aglease101.org/