Farmland Basics, Your Land’s Ecology, and Soil Health
Taking care of farmland you don’t farm yourself can be challenging, especially if you live far away. But where there is a will (and some helpful information) there is a way. You can grow the long-term productivity and profitability of your farmland while also feeling good about the land’s health and community impact.
We invite you and your family to grow in knowledge, confidence, and inspiration around farmland stewardship by attending this five-part webinar series. The series’ content will include:
- The power of soil biology
- Getting on the same page with family around farmland goals
- Assessing your farmland and its infrastructure
- Understanding the life and habitat potential of your land
- Figuring out goals and plans for the land
- Finding the right farmer and communicating with them
- Creating a good lease
- Soil testing for soil biology
- Is a farm manager right for you?
- What farmers need
- Thinking ahead to the next generation
You’ll also hear from farmland owners and their farmer-tenants and what they’ve been able to achieve together. Why not make this the year that you and your family do more with your farmland and feel happy about where it’s going?
Session #2 – Farmland Basics, Your Land’s Ecology, and Soil Health
Thursday, June 4 @ 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Spring Duffey, Executive Director of the McHenry County Soil & Water Conservation District, will help you understand your farmland and its infrastructure as well as the agencies that can help you with your land. Ed Collins, former director of natural resources at the McHenry County Conservation District, will share how you can deeply understand your property’s history and improve its habitat. David Kleinschmidt of Progressive Agronomy will explain the power and benefits of soil biology across all farming types.
Session #3 – Making Plans, Talking with Tenants, and Finding a New Farmer
Thursday, June 11 @ 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Learn the basics of setting goals and making plans for your land from Drew Carlson of Full Circle Design. Then hear how a farmland owner has communicated with tenants she’s had to end leasing relationships with and how she found a new farming partner. Illinois FarmLink’s Nathan Aaberg will then share strategies for finding a new farmer-tenant who will be a good fit.
Session #4 – Creating a Good Lease, Lease Rates, and Soil Testing for Soil Health
Thursday, June 18 @ 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Once you have the right farmer, it’s time to work out a good arrangement with them. Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons will provide an overview of how leases work and how to use the lease negotiation process to build a good relationship. Silas Brewster of CommonGround will explain the basics of setting lease rates. David Kleinschmidt of Progressive Agronomy will explain how to use new types of soil testing to tell whether the farming being done is meeting your soil health goals.
Session #5 – Building a Good Relationship with Your Farmer & The Farm Manager Option
Thursday, June 25 @ 9:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Learn more from Jean Eells, farmland owner and 2021 Iowa Conservation Woman of the Year, about how to have good farmer-landlord communications that maximize shared values while minimizing stress. If you don’t have the time or energy to manage a relationship directly with a farmer-tenant, Mollie Aronowitiz of People’s Company will explain how farm management companies work and how to get what you want from them for your specific land stewardship values. A landowner and the tenant-farmer will share lessons from their farming relationship.