Industry Research

Farmland investment is shifting from short-term, appreciation-focused strategies to long-term capital focused on income stability and wealth preservation. Rising interest rates and market volatility are driving institutional investors toward farmland for its inflation protection and consistent returns. This marks a maturation of the asset class, emphasizing stewardship and long-term value.

This white paper highlights how farmland investors can unlock new revenue through natural capital strategies like renewable energy, carbon markets, and conservation programs. It emphasizes that realizing these opportunities requires specialized expertise and tailored asset management beyond traditional investment approaches.

In a world of market volatility and tariff tensions, this white paper explains why farmland continues to offer resilience, stability, and long-term opportunity. Rather than crashing, the farmland market is entering a slow softening phase—creating strategic openings for savvy investors focused on core agricultural assets. Explore why real assets like farmland remain essential in uncertain times.

U.S. agriculture thrives by using advanced technology and resource management to produce essential goods like food, feed, fiber, and fuel. While the market for these products is ever-changing, farmers are adept at adapting to meet demand and drive economic growth. However, beyond these tangible products, farmland also offers valuable ecosystem services, including regulating, supporting, and cultural benefits that aren't yet fully monetized. This article explores the untapped potential of these ecosystem services and the emerging business models that could capture their true value.

Our 2024 report includes insights into land values, income performance, regional updates, and factors influencing farmland investments, such as inflation, trade policies, and emerging ecosystem income streams.

It's been more than 15 years since the Great Financial Crisis but are institutions still in love with farmland? Rising interest rates have investors looking back to treasuries and fixed income as their diversification strategy. However, the investment thesis around farmland as an asset class with its strong risk-adjusted returns and hedge against inflation has never been more true.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed and became public law on August 16, 2022. The long-term policy objectives laid out in the IRA, if realized, will have significant inflationary impacts on the farmland asset class.

This thought-provoking paper asserts that changing demographics is driving a trend by next-generation landowners to manage for appreciation and create sustainability through socially responsible farming.

Mercaris surveyed 109 certified organic landowners and renters across the country, concentrated in the Corn Belt and East Coast, about their cash rental values to determine if certified organic land values differed from conventional land values within these regions.

With around 10% of all farmland changing hands in the next few years, farm succession planning is no longer optional, it’s essential. The future of farmland ownership is set to look very different in the coming years.

The planning process — starting small but knowing where you’re going — is the bedrock of a farm’s commitment to soil and water conservation. Everything in this guide is focused on providing a path to address a problem or helping you make progress on a goal — whether that involves cropland, associated agricultural land, pasture, or livestock facilities.