More than Dirt

More than Dirt

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Aerial view of corn field and grain bin setup

The 5 Ws of transferring farm assets The 5 Ws of transferring farm assets

More than Dirt: Consider these strategies to use part of your tax-free gift exemption to minimize estate taxes.

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

Nov 29, 2024

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4 Min Read

Aerial shot of the landscape around New Harmony in Posey County, Indiana on a cloudless and sunny day in Autumn.

Protect your estate before tax sunset Protect your estate before tax sunset

Nov 7, 2024

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Farmland lease agreement paperwork

Why it’s time to negotiate a land lease Why it’s time to negotiate a land lease

Nov 1, 2024

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Piggy bank and money

How to improve cash flow How to improve cash flow

Oct 22, 2024

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farm lease agreement

What’s a fair rent price for farmland?What’s a fair rent price for farmland?

Sep 3, 2024

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Farmers shaking hands at sunset

Time to chat with landowners Time to chat with landowners

Aug 27, 2024

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6 business tips from first-generation farmers

6 business tips from first-generation farmers

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A new golden rule: ‘He who controls the land controls our food’

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Don’t lie when it comes to your farm’s financials

Don’t lie when it comes to your farm’s financials

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Mom and Dad don’t owe you a farm

Mom and Dad don’t owe you a farm

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Managing through the madness

Managing through the madness

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Why sell to your farming heir?

Why sell to your farming heir?

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How to transition farm machinery and equipment

How to transition farm machinery and equipment

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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Use off-farm investments to reduce your farm income tax burden

Use off-farm investments to reduce your farm income tax burden

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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Consider gifting options to reduce your taxes

Consider gifting options to reduce your taxes

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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Could you cash-in on a commonly overlooked tax strategy?

Could you cash-in on a commonly overlooked tax strategy?

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

gift tax

How to use the tax-free gift exemption on your farm

How to use the tax-free gift exemption on your farm

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

farm lease agreement and pencil

What’s really missing in farm leases today

What’s really missing in farm leases today

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

dollar bills in soil

When will money stop chasing farmland?

When will money stop chasing farmland?

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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Dad warns kids: Don’t let money ruin the family

Dad warns kids: Don’t let money ruin the family

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

Farm lease agreement with pencil

Annual lease termination: Standard practice or unnecessary risk?

Annual lease termination: Standard practice or unnecessary risk?

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

Downey family at Heritage Farm Award Ceremony at Iowa State Fair

Celebrating a family farm’s heritage holds a mix of emotions

Celebrating a family farm’s heritage holds a mix of emotions

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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Artificial intelligence: The dumbest, smartest, scariest thing in your future

Artificial intelligence: The dumbest, smartest, scariest thing in your future

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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New ag meetup to focus on family farm, farmland transitions

New ag meetup to focus on family farm, farmland transitions

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You cannot assume landowners know what you’re talking about

You cannot assume landowners know what you’re talking about

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Farm Business Planning

Survey shows record high Iowa cash rent, but warns of headwinds

Survey shows record high Iowa cash rent, but warns of headwinds

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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What I’ve learned from working with 300 family farms

What I’ve learned from working with 300 family farms

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How to find a tenant to rent your farm

How to find a tenant to rent your farm

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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New virtual meetup focuses on passive investing for ag

New virtual meetup focuses on passive investing for ag

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

Family estate planning document

Make an estate plan checkup a New Year's resolution

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byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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‘Fair and equal’ farm transition almost bankrupts a 5th generation family farm

‘Fair and equal’ farm transition almost bankrupts a 5th generation family farm

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

What is the practical value of your farmland?

What is the practical value of your farmland?

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant

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What would happen if your farm appraised for $30,000 per acre?

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Protect your farm from the nursing home

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The nursing home and family farm dilemma

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Conservation & Sustainability

Inflation causes record large increase to lifetime gift exemption

Inflation causes record large increase to lifetime gift exemption

byMike Downey, Farm business consultant