(Updated June 2012)

On the surface, buying a farm has a very 'get away from it all' sort of appeal. The reality is that farming can be emotionally and financially stressful with success dependent upon many variables, including the weather, taxes, domestic and foreign competition, etc. The rewards, however, can be considerable. This field guide explores the pros and cons of owning farm property.

2011 Farm Acreage Statistics

• Number of farms in the United States: 2.2 million, down slightly from 2010.
• Total farmland acreage: 917 million acres, decreased 1.85 million acres from 2010.
• Average farm size: 420 acres, up one acre from the previous year.
• Texas leads the nation in farm acreage, with 130 million acres.

Source: Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations: 2011 Summary (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Feb. 2012).

So You Want to Buy a Farm?

Small Farm Business Advice for Beginning Farmers,  (BeginningFarmers.org, 2011).

Farm Wisdom: Managing Risk on Small Farms Video Series, (Washington State Department of Agriculture, 2011).

Want to Make More than a Banker? Become a Farmer!, (Time, July 10, 2011).

Managing Risks on Your Small Farm, (Cornell Small Farms Program, n.d.).

The greenhorns guide for beginning farmers, (The Greenhorns, 2009).

Buying the farm: A good bet for rural retirees, (National Public Radio, June 3, 2009).

Financing Farm Property

2012 Farm Income Forecast, (USDA Economic Research Service, 2012).

Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans, (USDA Farm Service Agency, 2011).

Funding Resources (Loans/Grants), (BeginningFarmers.org, 2011).

Farm Banks Increased Agricultural Loans in 2010, (Texas Banking, Aug. 2011). Q

Farm Credit System on a Roll, (AgriMarketing, Sept. 2010).

Agricultural Property Values

Getting a Mortgage to Buy the Farm, (Bankrate.com, Nov. 10, 2011).

Finance and Economics: Golden acres; Buttonwood, (The Economist, Oct. 29, 2011). Q

Farmers Sense the End of Big Boom, (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 22, 2011).

Soaring Farmland Prices in U.S. Midwest Bring Fed Scrutiny of Rural Banks, (Bloomberg, Oct. 5, 2011).

Pricing the Good Earth, (Barron's, Dec. 24, 2010).

Hobby Farms

3 Reasons to Pay Attention to Farm Bill 2012, (HobbyFarms.com, Nov. 1, 2011).

The Rise of the Lazy Locavore, (Wall Street Journal, Nov. 13, 2010).

How to Start an Egg Business, (HobbyFarms.com, Summer 2010).

Starting a Small Hobby Farm, (SouthernStates.com, n.d.).

8 Tips for Beginner Farmers' Market Vendors, (HobbyFarms.com, n.d.).

Useful Websites

Agricultural Outlook: Statistical Indicators, (USDA Economic Research Service, Sept. 2011).

American Farm Bureau Federation, (fb.org).

American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, (www.ASFMRA.org).

Farm Loan Programs, (USDA Farm Service Agency).

Farmer Mac, (FarmerMac.com).

Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law, (Florida State University College of Law).

Publication 225 (2011), Farmer's Tax Guide, (IRS.gov).

Small Farm Funding Resources, (USDA Rural Information Center).

eBooks & Other Resources

Books, Videos, Research Reports & More

The resources below are available for loan through Information Central.  Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10.  Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.

Farm appraisal principles, (Austin, TX: Sunbelt Eakin Press, 2002). HD 1393 Su8f

The appraisal of rural property, (Chicago, IL: The Appraisal Institute, 2000). HD 1393 Am3a

Appraisal & review guide for rural properties, (Alexandria, MN: The Appraisal Institute, 2000). HD 1387 M57

Field Guides & More

These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:

Field Guide to Land Investment

Field Guide to Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs)

Field Guide to Water Rights & Resource Issues

InfoCentral Blog

eBooks

The profitable hobby farm: How to build a sustainable local foods business (Adobe eBook)

Have an Idea for a New Field Guide?

Click here to send us your suggestions.

The inclusion of links on this field guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this field guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.