BOONE, Iowa—Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is conducting twelve in-person farmland lease meetings across 12 sites in Central Iowa in late July and August. Meeting sites include Oskaloosa, Marshalltown, Gladbrook, Grinnell, Ames, Altoona, Knoxville, Newton, Adel, Ogden, Winterset, and Indianola. Additionally, a $10, one hour Central Iowa webinar is planned for Friday, August 20th from Noon – 1 p.m.

The discussion will focus on various methods to determine a fair 2021 cash rental rate and the importance of good landlord/tenant communications. According to the June 2021 annual survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland, rates increased, on average 4.5% in 2021 to $232 per acre. This is the first substantial increase in cash rents since 2013.

The Ogden in-person meeting will be Tuesday, August 10th, beginning at 9:00 am. This meeting will be at the Leonard Good Community Center, located at 114 SW 8th Street in Ogden. Patrick Hatting, Farm Management Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will facilitate the two-hour meeting. Participants of the in-person meetings will receive a 100 page booklet and meeting handouts designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agri-business professionals with issues related to farmland ownership, management, and leasing arrangements.

Pre-registration is required at least two days before the in-person meeting. Contact the Boone County ISU Extension and Outreach office at 515-432-3882 with your questions or to pre-register on or before Friday, August 6th. $20 fee per individual is payable at the door.

For a list of meetings statewide, check the ISU Extension calendar for a meeting time near you at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html