Farmers, landlords, farmers and agri-business professionals are welcomed to attend free educational workshops that focus on land rent agreements.

"What is a Fair and Profitable Land Rent Agreement?" will be held across central Minnesota the second week of December.

The workshops are sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension.

Negotiating a fair rental agreement that satisfies the land owner and the farmer is a challenge. David Bau, Extension educator in ag business management, will provide several ways; by examples, factsheets and worksheets to determine a fair farm land rental rate for both parties.

Farm land rental rates have never been higher and determining a fair and profitable farm rent agreement is a challenge in today's economy with recent record corn and soybean prices and record farm land values, he says.

Topics covered at the meetings will include local historic and projected farmland rental rate trends, current farm land values and sales, a worksheet that will help determine a fair and profitable rental agreement.

Input costs for 2014 will be presented along with current 2014 corn and soybean prices. Worksheets will examine 2014 costs and what is affordable rent that a farmer will be able to pay in 2014, the rate of return to the landlord at current market values and examine flexible rental agreements.

Attendees will receive several informative worksheets and factsheets that will help to determine what is a fair and profitable 2014 farm land rental rate.

The meetings in central Minnesota will be in:
-Cold Spring, Dec. 10, from 9:30 am-11:30 am at American Legion Post 455 (209 Main St.)
-Foley, Dec. 10, from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm at Mr. Jim's (840 Highway 23)
-Long Prairie, Dec. 11 from 9:30 am-11:30 am at Todd Co. Courthouse Annex (119 3rd St. S.)
-Little Falls, Dec. 11 from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm at Morrison Co. Government Center (213 1st Ave. SE)

No pre-registration is necessary.

For more information, please call Emily Krekelberg at the Stearns County Extension office, 320-255-6169.