Peoples Perspective

Cotton has long been a cornerstone of agriculture in the Mid-South, a region known for its fertile soil, favorable climate, and rich agricultural heritage. The Mid-South, stretching across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri Bootheel, and Louisiana, has become one of the leading cotton-producing areas in the United States. This article explores the factors contributing to successful cotton production in the region, the cultivation process, and the challenges faced by farmers.

Growing up on my family’s dairy farm in the picturesque hills of Northeast Iowa, I always felt a deep sense of peace walking along the pastures and field driveways. Even though I didn’t know where those walks might lead, there was something grounding about them. Today, I find that same sense of stability when I talk with landowners about their family farms or recent land investments. After 12 years in the appraisal field, I’m honored to hold the ARA designation, which has been both humbling and grounding in my career.

Emily Oberbroeckling, ARA, Peoples Company, has been awarded the Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®).

The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 139 tracts or 12,335 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during October 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,072, the average dollar per tillable acre was $12,408, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $161.

Farmland can be a difficult asset class to participate in as there are significant barriers to entry, one of which is sourcing quality farmland for sale in a highly dynamic market. For the Farmland Investor, access to quality deal flow is essential for building your portfolio.

Anyone in the farmland sector has heard the adage that as the size of a farm increases the price per acre typically decreases. Whether you’re an appraiser or other real estate professional, this message seems to be heard throughout the business. While this can be true in many cases, I’ve run across some instances where the theory could be questioned.

Leasing farmland is easy, but it’s not simple. Unlike commercial or residential real estate, farmland is renowned for its nearly 100% occupancy rate. If a farmer retires, there is often a line of people eager to assume the farm lease on that property. Finding someone to farm your land – that’s the easy part.

Peoples Company, a recognized leader in integrated land management, brokerage, appraisal, and energy solutions with offices across the nation, today announced a new partnership with Fremont, Neb.,-based farm management, appraisal and brokerage Lallman, Paulson & Brettmann, Inc. The firm's partners, Scott Brettmann and Shae Smith, will begin utilizing Peoples Company's industry-leading farm management technology and platform to increase opportunities for their clients to maximize yields.

Are you considering investing in land for recreational purposes? Whether you're dreaming of a secluded hunting retreat, a serene fishing spot, or simply a piece of nature to call your own, purchasing recreational land can be a rewarding investment.

For savvy investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and defer capital gains taxes, the IRS 1031 exchange provides an excellent opportunity. For qualified transactions, one of the lesser-known yet advantageous investment options for a 1031 exchange is mineral rights. Here’s why more investors are turning their attention underground, quite literally, by exchanging them for minerals.