Folks that are not involved in farming may think that farmers own the bulk of the land they use to produce their crops and livestock. The truth is over 50% of Kansas farmland is rented, with many farmers operating a mix of owned and rented land. Very few farms operate exclusively on rented land (less than 10%). These averages reflect the common practice for Kansas farmers to rent land from multiple, often non-farming, landowners to form a complete farming operation.

Why is that you ask? Simply put, land is expensive and to purchase most or all of the land an agricultural producer would need is cost prohibitive. Therefore, many producers lease agricultural land from typically a number of landowners or landlords.  Each year we get a number of questions from landowners and tenants on agricultural land leasing—from average cash rental rates to written lease forms, etc. 

The Cottonwood Extension District in Barton and Ellis county which is part of K-State Extension will be hosting two meetings over Farmland Leasing Arrangements on Thursday, Jan. 8. Alicia Boor and I will go over the ends and outs of good arrangements. Kay Prather from Kansas Agriculture Mediation will also be in attendance to answer any legal questions you may have over leasing.

The first one will be held at the Cottonwood Extension Office, 3007 10th St. in Great Bend, at 9 a.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided. The second one will be at the Cottonwood Extension Office in Hays, 601 Main, at 1 p.m. and light refreshments will be provided. These are possible with a generous sponsorship from First Kansas Bank. 

An RSVP is appreciated-if attending in Great Bend at 620-793-1910, and in Hays at 785-628-9430 by Jan. 7th. 

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Cottonwood Extension District. Email him at scampbel@ksu.edu or call the Hays office, 785-628-9430.