Field Guide to Agricultural/Farm Land
(Updated December 2009)
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. (S. Hogan, Information Specialist)
2007 Farm Acreage Statistics
- Number of farms in the U.S.: 2.20 million; up from 2.09 million in 2006
- Total farmland acreage: 921.5 million acres; down from 925.8 million acres in 2006
- Average farm size: 418 acres; down from 443 acres in 2006
- Texas leads the nation in farm acreage, with 130.4 million acres
Source: Farms and Land in Farms, (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Feb. 2009).
So You Want to Buy a Farm? 
The greenhorns guide for beginning farmers, (The Greenhorns, 2009).
Beginning farmers and ranchers: Who are they?, (Amber Waves, Jun. 2009). Q
Buying the farm: A good bet for rural retirees, (National Public Radio, Jun. 3, 2009).
Plain language guide to managing risks on the small farm, (Northeast Network of Immigrant Farming Projects, Aug. 2007).
Financing Farm Property
How to finance a small farm, (University of California Small Farm Program, 2009).
Changing the definition of a “farm” can affect federal funding, (Amber Waves, Dec. 2009).
2009 Farm Income Forecast, (USDA.gov, 2009).
Inside Farmer Mac’s part-time farm loan program, (Community Banker, Mar. 2007). Q
Agricultural Property Values
Slumping farmland values continue, (Farm Futures, Nov. 30, 2009).
Farm land values, (University of Missouri Extension, Mar. 2009).
Will farmland values keep booming?, (Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Second Quarter 2008).
Differences between agricultural land value surveys and market sales, (The Appraisal Journal, Summer 2007). Q
Not your father’s farm, (Fedgazette, May 2009). Q
About the rural lifestyler, (AgriMarketing, Mar. 2008). Q
Back home on the hobby farm, (Time, Oct. 22, 2007).
Useful Websites
Farmer Mac, (FarmerMac.com).
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, (www.ASFMRA.org).
Farm loans, (USDA Farm Service Agency).
American Farm Bureau, (www.fb.com).
Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law, (www.law.fsu.edu).
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
>> 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 to 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.
E-mail 
