Whether starting anew, moving or expanding, finding suitable farmland may be the biggest hurdle for growers these days. Where do you begin? What do you need to look for?

Addressing this topic at the 2023 Great Lakes Expo was Vicki Morrone, an organic field crop and vegetable outreach specialist at Michigan State University. She listed the many things potential land purchasers need to take into consideration.

“Do you want urban? Do you want rural? Do you want something close to you? Are you willing to move?” she asked about the land. “What kind of access will it have for you and your employees? How much acreage do you need?”

The acreage question tied into her follow-ups about market opportunities and customers, be they farmers markets patrons, CSA members or retail stores. She added that a CSA needs “quite a diversity of crops.”

Think about your farm needs. “What is your passion?” Morrone asked. “Make a list of your values and your goals.”

Then, of course, there’s the question of how you will pay for your farmland. This can all be a lot, whether you’re a beginning farmer or a seasoned veteran.

Plan Ahead

Morrone suggested, if it’s at all possible, for you to grow for a year before selling to bigger markets. (Consider starting with week-to-week farmers markets.) You should also visit other farms to gain insight and inspiration.

“Build relationships with other farmers, ag educators and markets – find a farm mentor,” she said. “Sharing makes a huge difference. Identify your resources for knowledge and inputs. And keep notes – of your questions, challenges, goofs and a-has!”

Realize that while urban areas are much closer to markets, rural regions often have more access to land. There will be different zoning issues everywhere, so research those before even looking at lots. Additionally, think about the utilities that you’ll need/have/can install. Look at road access, community surroundings, flood zones and mineral rights.

Are your neighbors friendly to agriculture? (New subdivisions may not be.) Is there affordable housing for any employees you may hire? Do you have good access to roads for markets – or for buyers to come to you?

When considering land requirements, look at how much acreage there is overall vs. how much of it you can actually use. That will tie into your equipment needs as well. More land will likely mean bigger implements.

More land also means a bigger time investment. “How much time can you dedicate? What is your labor capacity, now and in the future?” Morrone queried.

Land Properties & Infrastructure

“You can’t change your soil texture,” Morrone stated. Sand drains everything, not just water; loam is “the queen of soil.” Will the soil type fit in with what you plan to grow?

Look at long-term weather patterns. Is the climate suitable for your farming practices?

If you plan to also live on the property, think about your community requirements. What kind of access do you need for amenities, shopping and schools?

Some farmland will come with infrastructure like fencing, barns, sheds, greenhouses and packhouses already built, but will they meet your needs to support production?

Will you need to remove and replant any orchards or vineyards? Will you need to install any irrigation – and can your water source support that?

Marketing and distribution infrastructure are critical too. After harvest, you’ll need cold storage, packing sheds, and, depending on your business model, a processing facility, a farm stand and parking.

Payment

The hunt is over and you’ve found your farmland. Now comes the second hardest part – paying for it.

Fortunately, there are a lot of options here. You can use personal savings, credit unions, FSA loans, land banks or family loans. Depending on who is selling, you may even be able to use sweat equity, or there may be a generous landowner or a gift/inheritance situation. If purchasing is simply not in the cards, short- or long-term leases and shared land are options as well. The latter is a good idea if you want to work with other farmers to collaborate on reaching markets.

Morrone presented a final to-do list for those seeking farmland: Build relationships with your goal markets, other farmers and wholesalers; assess your equipment and determine what you need to buy, barter or borrow; and write down your plan so you don’t miss anything.

by Courtney Llewellyn