Cash-rent your land to a farmer — instant, recurring income.
Whether you own 5 acres of row crops or 5,000 acres of pasture, leasing to a local farmer is the simplest, fastest way to monetize land. National averages run $15-$350 per acre per year by region and soil class.
How it works
- 1Find a tenant
Local farmers, neighbors, or county Extension agents can recommend tenants. Listing services and Land.com also help.
- 2Choose a structure
Cash rent (fixed, predictable) or crop share (you take a % of harvest, usually 25-50%). Cash is simpler; share is upside-coupled.
- 3Sign a multi-year lease
1-5 year leases are typical. Spell out land use, fertility maintenance, fencing, insurance, and termination terms.
- 4Collect annually
Cash rent paid annually (some prefer half upfront, half post-harvest). Share leases settle after the crop sells.
Agriculture by state
State-specific guides for agriculture — ranked by state-level suitability.
Deal structures
Tenant pays fixed $/ac/yr regardless of yield or price. Predictable income; no harvest risk.
You and tenant split the crop (e.g., 25/75 or 50/50) and sometimes input costs. Variable income, more upside in strong years.
Base cash rent + bonus tied to yield or commodity price. Splits risk and reward.
$5-$50/AUM (animal-unit-month) for pasture. Common in the West.
Frequently asked
Top: Iowa $270, Illinois $250, California (irrigated) $350+. Middle: Indiana $230, Wisconsin $145. Low: Wyoming $15, New Mexico $15. USDA NASS publishes annual county-level rates.
Cash rent if you want predictability and have no risk appetite. Crop share if you can stomach variability and want exposure to strong harvest years.
1 year is common but volatile. 3-5 year leases give tenants confidence to invest in soil health, which protects your land's productivity.
Free, instant assessment — and matched providers in your state.