How to Find the Best Farm Properties in the Market

Land investment is a great investment. However, it can be overwhelming to go through the whole process of choosing the best rural land that will give you the best ROI.

You'll need to research and learn about what you should consider so that you make a well-informed decision in selecting the right farmland that will serve your purpose and meet your goals.

The biggest challenges when you decide to invest in farmland include finding a place to grow your business. According to the Department of Agriculture, you can check out the FSA’s inventory of farmland property for purchase, to begin with.

Whether you decide to lease, rent, or purchase land, here are some things to consider when finding land specifically tailored to fit your needs.

Where is the best farmland to buy?

Montana still holds the top spot for rural property. Even beginning farmers or general landowners can stamp on their own property in any part of the state.

Following Montana on the list is Kansas with its own distinct farming land. Whether you settle for a small acre of land for sale or farms you want to grow for a long time, Kansas has it.

Here are more of the best places for farms:

• North Dakota
• Texas
• Oklahoma
• Iowa
• Kentucy
• Colorado
• Wyoming

Check out the whole list.

Finding Farm Land

The most essential factors to consider when you are searching for farmland include location, the right price point, listings, marketing strategy, and many others. Scrutinizing all the items listed below will help you better evaluate and assess if a property for sale is suitable for you.

Type of Soil

Knowing what type and quality of soil there is on the farm property should be your top priority. This will determine what you can do and how much you can earn on that farmland property.

Make sure that the soil is appropriate for your goals. For example, you would want to know if the soil is right for growing vegetables or for grazing cattle. Knowing the ‘depth to the water table’ and the ‘depth to a constrictive layer’ will give you hints if the soil is good enough to grow fruits and vegetables.

You can check the soil survey online. Choose properties that have these ratings:

Farmland of Statewide Importance

You can check the “Resources” section of the listed property to find detailed information on the web soil survey such as:

• Soil type
• Depth to the water table
• Depth to bedrock, fragipan, and hardpan
• Flood zones
• History of flooding and how often
• Clay soil
• Fertility
• Current cropping quality
• Investment necessity
• Management of soil needed before cropping
• Most recent pH of the soil
• If pH is not suitable for your goal, how much will you need to invest to alter the conditions of the soil?
• Slope
• Soil rating

Take note of soil contamination or soil pollution from the property’s soil history report. Remember that the success of your plans for the farmland you will purchase will largely depend on what the soil can give you.

Take time to learn about the quality of the soil of the farmland properties you are considering purchasing.

Land Suitability and Climate

How much of the whole property is usable? There are available tools on the USDA’s Web Soil Survey that you can use to determine the approximation of suitable cropland for the property. Otherwise, you can do a manual measurement using a measuring wheel.

Other factors of land suitability that you would also want to consider include:

• Location and proximity: Is the property accessible to markets, customers, labor, agricultural support services, and supply stores?
• Land orientation: How many sunny and shady areas are there? If you plan to grow vegetables, make sure you have a lot of sunny areas where your plants can get full sun so you can maximize your yield. If you plan to raise animals, you will need portions of shady areas to prevent heat stress.
• Microclimates: Know information like wet areas, high spots exposed to dry winds, etc. to see what crop varieties you can grow.
• Topography or slope: When you need to grow acres of crops, you will need land flat enough to safely operate the equipment.
• Vegetation: Identify limitations to existing tree cover and other possible measures needed to control vegetation, if necessary, like tree removal and weeding.
• Poisonous weeds: Weed pressure can cause a lot of problems on a farm property, so you should know if there is an existing weed problem in the area.
• Water Resources

A much-needed element on any farm property is an adequate source and supply of water. The quality of water available should also be enough to sustain vegetation and animal life on the farmland.

Access

Good farmland should have consistent access in every season and time of day in any farming season. There should be adequate entry and exit points for equipment, vehicles, livestock, and customers.

Fencing

A functional fence can provide additional security and protection for your farmland and animals that roam on your farmland. It is also a good boundary marker to prevent land issues with neighboring farmlands.

Other Farm Elements

Check for the presence and quality of other amenities on the farm property, such as:

• Cell phone reception
• Equipment storage
• Equipment usage
• Housing
• Infrastructure
• Existing livestock
• Power supply
• Easements
• Support services from agricultural organizations
• Records

Market Situation

You cannot dismiss the fact that good farmland should be located in an area where there is a great revenue. Otherwise, your investment would be somehow useless if the farmland is barren or your products cannot be marketed to the locals.

For this consideration in choosing farmland properties, you should know about these factors:

• Days on the market
• Farm growth rate
• Building rate
• Community growth
• Competition
• Financing

Where to Find Farm Properties For Sale

So, now that you understand the important factors you should be considering in purchasing farmland, you can search through a list of farmland properties for the ideal farmland you need. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests checking these lists:

FSA’s inventory of farmland property for purchase: best for beginner farmers who can purchase farmland properties at an appraised value.

The Conservation Reserve Program Transition Incentive Program

Expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

Ready to Find Farm Land in Your Area?

It is best that you use more than one method to look for the best farmland property so that you can get the best deal. Knowing the type of farm you like, and the right farm area will help you have a greater chance of success getting the farmland property of your dreams.

Call United Country to find more information on how to find rural properties or the perfect farm of your dreams.