Three farmers want to rent my land. How do I decide which one do I pick?

Question

Farmer 1 rented the land from the previous owners. They say he's great.

Farmer 2 is a young college grad who is getting into his huge family farming business, and who already farms the land across the street

Farmer 3 is a middle aged guy who farms about 600 acres

Farmers 2 & 3 showed up at my house & asked about farming the land.

What other questions should I ask them to help me make the decision?

Answer 1

how much are you willing to rent my farm and for how long?

Answer 2

On what you stated I would go with farmer #1. You should really find out what cropping practises and what inputs they are going to do for the long term care of your land, to protect from errosion, salinity, etc.

Answer 3

I would personally go with the first person, because he already rented it from the original owners and will probably be using it for the same thing he was before. That way you don't have to worry about a young college grad ruining your property and the guy who already has the 600 acres really doesn't need anymore land to farm, that is too much responsibility as it is. However, do backround checks on them and make sure that number one was always on time with rent money and always stayed within the rules!

Answer 4

how much they give in advance and the backup plan if they are bankrupt.

Answer 5

Well, you already have a good recommendation for farmer #1, that's a good place to start.  If it was my farm, I would be more concerned about how he treated the land.  I would take a look at how they kept up their home place and if you can find anyone else they are renting from talk to them.  A farmer that is just worried about how much money he can make on your land can mess your land up pretty quick.  If he is taking good care of his own land, you can be pretty sure that he'll take care of yours as well.  Chances are that they will all pay you on time if they don't want to lose your business                    .  I'm guessing that you don't fully trust the recommendation of the previous owner or you wouldn't be having second thoughts about this problem.

Answer 6

I would ask Bohemian she seem to ask/ demand more than i thought of, and i thought i knew farming!

Answer 7

1...what are they growing?

2...what fertilizers are they using?

3....what pesticides are they using?

4....what time of day/night do they harvest?

5....how long will harvest take?

6....will harvest mean they will have to bring other strangers to your land?

7.....if your land needs irregation, who is footing the bill for the water/electric?

8....in case of total crop failure, will they come and remove/plow under the crop, or will you be left with rotting vegitation?

9...if the "crop" is livestock, will YOUR homeowners cover YOU if an animal escapes YOUR fence, and some hits it with a vehicle? (Does not matter if they are not your animals, once they are in your fence, they are YOUR responsibility)

10....how will pesticides/insecticides be applied...airplanes create a LOT of drift!

11....Have you done your research?  Is what they are planting on, and applying to your land actually depleting your land?  A farmer renting you land may not care if he depletes your land, and leaves you with soil that is unable to support life any longer.

12....is the crop a plant and harvest once, or something like alfalfa that you harvest several times a year?

13.....do you have a well, and do you want what they are applying to end up in your drinking water?

14....when/how will you be payed, at the begining, or after harvest checks come in?  Cash, or check?  Will the farmer want a reciept so he can write it off on his taxes?  That means you need to report the income on YOUR taxes.

I'm sure I could come up with a LOT more questions...but that should get the ball rolling for you.

~Garnet

Homesteading/Farming over 20 years

Answer 8

Back round check!

Answer 9

I would ask other farmers in the area.  You could also review their records at the NRCS office (Natural Resource Conservation Office)  They may have a program registered which would give you an idea of how they handle the soil, etc. and other resources would be the local county agent, the people who buy their production, and the people who supply them with fertilizers and chemicals.

Answer 10

what do they want to farm animals or crops

Answer 11

the one that hands you the cash for the season thats it thats all

Answer 12

who of them is organic? that's the one.