Iowa State University (ISU) extension plans to host their annual farmland leasing arrangement workshops across the state to support landowner and renter education.

Ann Johanns, ISU extension program specialist in farm management, says that the workshops will address land values, market outlook, costs of production, legal updates and relationship building between renters and landowners.

“Over half of Iowa’s farmland is under a rental agreement… there’s many many reasons why you might hold on to farmland and so we have such a large amount in some parts of our state that are rented,” Johanns said. “It is so important to protect our natural resources, to protect the profitability of Iowa farmers, it’s an important topic year-round.”

Johanns says that landowners and renters aren’t the only ones who benefit from the workshop contents.

“We would recommend and invite anybody with a tie to Iowa farmland… sometimes we get just producers who maybe don’t rent farmland but are interested in some of the outlook topics…” Johanns said. “Or maybe they’ve recently inherited farmland or recently invested in farmland that they’re new landowners, we always get those folks who it can be an overwhelming topic of all the things that go into managing that farmland, so we encourage them to attend.”

Agriculture business professionals such as ag lenders, farm managers, Farm Service Agency workers or those who want to hear more about what’s impacting their clients are also welcome to attend.

There are nearly 60 workshops that will take place from the end of July into late August. Those interested are encouraged to reach out to their local extension office to register and for more details. For more information visit 2025 farmland leasing arrangements workshops: better leases for better relationships | Ag Decision Maker.