The relationship between non-operating landowners, which own 62% of Midwest farmland, and the farmers to whom they rent land is vital to achieving
wide-scale adoption of soil-health and nutrient-management practices across US croplands.
If you have ever driven through Illinois or flown over the state, you
probably have noticed the patchwork of corn,
soybean,
wheat, and other fields that cover the land. Each of these parcels is cared for
by a farmer; however, the land that the farmer is tending may not be owned by
the farmer. In Illinois, half of all farmland is owned by people who do not farm
the land. This group is often called non-operating landowners (NOLs),
and they play an important role in conservation and sustainability programs.
NOLs own 62 percent of Midwest farmland, including up to 80 percent of land in
certain counties, according to Randy Dell — the soil health and nutrient
strategy manager for the agriculture program in North America at The Nature
Conservancy. According to Dell, NOLs and their relationships with the farmers
to whom they rent land are vital to achieving wide-scale adoption of
soil-health and nutrient-management
practices
across US croplands.
To strengthen collaboration between farmers and non-operating landowners, the
Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is teaming up
with The Nature Conservancy and the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.
“Healthy soils are crucial for maintaining clean water supplies and creating
resilience to extreme weather events,” says Megan Baskerville, the
Conservancy’s ag program director in Illinois. “When farmers work with
landowners on conservation agriculture, they’re investing in the long-term
viability of that land but also helping to ensure clean water beyond the farm.”
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The ISA encourages the state’s farmers to work with their landlords to achieve
watershed and landscape conservation objectives, such as reducing nutrient
runoff.
“There is a disconnect between farmers and landowners who are generations
removed from the farm, and ISA can serve as a liaison for sharing tips to
enhance that stewardship partnership,” said David Wessel, an Illinois
Soybean Association board member and soybean farmer from Chandlerville,
Illinois. “Sustainable production adds value to the land, increases
profitability potential and helps the environment.”
Surveys find landlords want to hear from their tenants about conservation
issues. Results from an American Farmland Trust
study show that
landowners broadly value conservation and soil health, with 96 percent agreeing
or strongly agreeing that they consider soil quality when making land management
decisions. The ability to avoid erosion, prevent contaminating waterways and
maintain soil productivity were among preferred attributes that landowners value
in a farm operator — more than the amount of rent a farmer will pay and whether
they like the farmer. Bottom line: When given simple, economical options by
their farmers to sustain or implement soil health practices, many landowners are
willing to make such changes.
While non-operating landowners may be familiar with some conservation tactics,
they may need to be more informed about others. This presents an opportunity for
farmers to share the potential benefits of conservation with the NOL. The Nature
Conservancy recommends talking about enriching the land, using soil health
practices to protect the investment in land, partnering to obtain public and
private cost-share incentives, boosting resilience, and building a legacy for
both the landowner and farmer.
Finally, farmers and landowners should talk about multi-year leases instead of
the more common annual agreements.
“The benefits of soil health practices take multiple years before realized,”
Baskerville said. “Annual leases, even if renewed over multiple years, provide
no assurances the farmer will still have access to the land when expected
benefits of conservation are realized. A multi-year agreement with annual rent
and term modifications removes the barriers.”
To learn more about conservation partnership programs, check out these
resources:
Published Aug 14, 2020 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST
Amy Roady is the director of outreach for the Illinois Soybean Association. She leads outreach and sustainability efforts to educate, inform and influence producers, industry stakeholders, non-profit leaders and consumers. She also maintains strong relationships with food and ag groups. Since joining ISA in 2009, Roady has been active with Center for Food Integrity, Field to Market, and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.
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