Practical Farmers of Iowa recently launched its redesigned land-matching website, FindAFarmer.net, a tool that aims to connect farmland owners with land seekers to preserve family farms.

PFI first developed the tool in 2011 to help Iowa’s aging farmland owners find possible successors, and to support beginning farmers facing the difficulty of accessing land. There is no charge for using the upgraded website. It’s free and available for anyone in North America.

The most recent Farmland Ownership and Tenure Survey, released last summer by Iowa State University, shows 60% of Iowa farmland is owned by someone 65 years or older, and 35% is owned by someone 75 years or older. In addition, more than half of Iowa’s farmland is farmed by someone other than the owner.

FindAFarmer can help retiring farmers find a non-family successor to continue the farm and non-farming landowners find a tenant for a rental arrangement. The site can also help facilitate many other unique land access situations.

Facilitating transfer of land
Beginning farmers in PFI’s network consistently cite land access as a major barrier to starting or growing their farm operation. Unlike typical real estate websites, FindAFarmer lets land seekers share their farming values, goals and qualifications, says Steve Carlson, Next Generation coordinator at PFI. Landowners can share the story of their farmland and their vision for the future. Establishing shared values can give beginning farmers an edge on potential competition for the land while helping landowners ensure their farm vision continues.

“I wanted to find someone who saw it as a family farm,” says David Mitschelen, who made a connection using FindAFarmer that resulted in the sale of his family farm. Mitschelen grew up on a 40-acre farm and purchased it from his parents when they could no longer manage it. He planned to retire on the farm with his wife, but ultimately decided it was too far from their children and grandchildren.

Mitschelen had other offers for the farm but chose the farmer he found on FindAFarmer because they shared a vision for the land. “He looked at the farm the same way I was looking at it,” Mitschelen says, “with the possibilities of doing the same type of things I had dreamed of.”

Profile tells your story
Landowners and land seekers across the U.S. can create a free account at FindAFarmer and mark their location or desired location on the map. The two parties can search for users within a specified radius, find someone who aligns with their values and interests, and start an anonymous conversation.

The website is a place to provide as much information about the farmland or farmer as desired, without sharing personal details. Users start conversations anonymously, which helps eliminate any pressure when looking for a good fit.

“Support for beginning farmers and farmland transfer is a top priority for PFI members,” Carlson says. “FindAFarmer is part of PFI’s beginning farmer program that provides resources and opportunities to help beginning and aspiring farmers create viable farm businesses.”

For answers to questions about FindAFarmer, contact Carlson at 515-232-5661 or [email protected].

Source: PFI, which is responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.