By Bonnie Warndahl
Vincent Kimaiga immigrated to Minnesota from Kenya in 2008. He had been growing tomatoes, collards, and various herbs in community gardens with his wife and parents for years—mostly for their own consumption—but in 2021, when Kilimo Minnesota co-founder Moses Momanyi suggested they could rent land and grow a greater diversity of produce, Vincent acted on the encouragement and took up a lease with Kilimo, an organic incubator farm in Lino Lakes, Minnesota that supports African immigrants in land access and farmer education.
That first year Vincent sold produce to other farmers who had contracts for markets and in year two, his family secured three contracts with The Good Acre, the largest non-profit food hub in Minnesota.
“In 2023 we decided we wanted a bigger piece of land. Something more secure—more permanent—that had water access. We started looking and inquiring. At first, we were just looking to lease. I only needed an acre or two.”
Vincent explored a lease option with an independent landowner but it wasn’t quite the right fit. The owner gave him a referral for someone to help him find land and Vincent eventually found himself speaking with Farmland Access Navigator and USDA Connector Katie Kubovcik.
“I told Katie what we were doing [with farming] and what I was looking for—that I tried looking online but nothing was showing up. I didn’t know where farmers looked for land.”
Katie provided helpful links to aid in his search and Vincent found a land listing in Northfield, Minnesota on Land Stewardship Project’s farmland clearinghouse, an area he was interested in. He made a call to the owner but it turned out that the land available was mostly wooded and wouldn’t be suitable for Vincent’s needs. However, the owner had another parcel of land which he hadn’t made plans for yet.
“He told me to call him back in two months and he would let me know what he decided. In the meantime, we found a realtor and started looking for other farms. Most of the properties the realtor showed me were over $750,000.” (FSA will only finance beginning farmer loans up to $600,000). “Katie helped me realize that the properties the realtor was pointing me to wouldn’t work, especially if I wanted to finance with FSA. Katie was very helpful.”
Fast forward two months and Vincent reached out to the landowner again, who still hadn’t fully decided on what to do with the property but offered to let Vincent and his wife Gloria see it.
“He showed us the property and we loved it! We went for a second visit and I brought my parents. They liked it too and we decided ‘let’s go for it!’ So we started the long process with FSA. We closed a whole year later.”
With four tillable acres, the new property in Northfield, Minnesota will enable Vincent to produce more food for his family and community. Photo submitted by Vincent Kimaiga.
One year is a lot of time to wait for financing, which is one of the many reasons beginning farmers struggle to access land. Most traditional real estate transactions happen in a matter of 2-3 months. Many landowners aren’t willing—or aren’t able—to work on this longer timeline creating a barrier for beginning and limited-resource farmers. I asked Vincent if he was satisfied with his experience, financing a farm purchase through FSA and—the long process aside—if he would recommend it to others.
“Oh yes, I would absolutely recommend it!” he responded enthusiastically. “If you do your work in advance it will be easier. FSA asks a lot of questions. They need a lot of paperwork. But if you do your prep work and you have records, they tell you what you need, you submit, and you just wait. It’s a long process, yes, but if you keep your records and you know the direction you want to go, the process will be smoother.”
Vincent noted that his experience in other jobs helped him to be more prepared for his FSA loan application and farming, in general.
“I have an accounting degree. I worked as an accountant for an insurance company for five years. Then, in 2019 I started doing landscaping and some farming. I opened a landscaping business. In the fall, I started working as a general technician doing plumbing and electrical for an assisted living facility. I had already started doing record-keeping for the landscaping business and used those same skills for the farm so when FSA asked for farm documentation I had it already.”
He added that his experience working with a Navigator was also in his favor because the landowner seemed to struggle with letting go of his land and didn’t always respond to Vincent in a timely manner.
“As an immigrant, I was so grateful that I had Katie because it seemed easier for [the landowner] to communicate with Katie. He wouldn’t communicate with me sometimes but he responded to Katie. She thought he probably was having a hard time letting go. Now he visits and says he is so glad he sold this land to us. He is grateful for what we are doing with the land.”
Vincent Kimaiga closed on his new farm in Northfield, Minnesota in August, using an FSA Farm Ownership Loan. Photo submitted by Vincent Kimaiga.
The new farm is nearly 9 acres with about 4 acres tillable. It has an 800 sq ft house built in 1964. It does not have any fencing or outbuildings but Vincent is already making plans for working on the house and adding needed infrastructure, including building a shed and walk-in cooler, this fall and winter. He says he is trying to avoid debt and mostly relying on grants, like the new MDA Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant (which is due November 21st), to pay for materials—and is planning to do a lot of the labor himself. He continues to work with Katie on accessing funding and business planning and refers to her as his mentor.
“The house is not ready to move in yet. I’m doing a lot of repairs but come summertime we’ll be there. I didn’t know working as a maintenance technician would prepare me for farming! I’m able to repair the house so I’m not relying on contractors. And I’m talking with Katie about NRCS funds for fences or a hoop house… and maybe FSA loans for other things. I’m not trying to grow fast. Our biggest concern right now is to improve the quality of production. There is lots of prep to do… and I have a newborn baby boy this year. He is three months old.”
Vincent says he and Gloria, along with his parents Japheth and Eucabeth, are excited to try new things.
RIGHT Vincent Kimaiga and his family came to Minnesota from Kenya in 2008. Photo submitted by Vincent Kimaiga.
“We’re interested in getting a small chicken coop and selling eggs. We grow vegetables and we want to be known for that—but we’re open to other opportunities. We mostly want to be in the community—focus on some specific markets and keep it community-oriented. We want to provide a good lifestyle for the kids, teaching them to build and fix things; the wholesome process of living in the country and to grow food, give to, and feed the community.”
I asked if Vincent wanted to share anything else about his journey in becoming a farmer and accessing land. He generously offered this insight to other new farmers:
“I really listen to the experiences of other farmers. I listen to farmer podcasts. Those have been really helpful. Hearing the mistakes they made helps you to not repeat them—and they help you learn the pros and cons of different markets. For me, I learned to focus on specific markets and keep it community-oriented.”
Planning early for transitioning the farm is a topic that comes up frequently, especially in the Hub’s Engaging Landowners Working Group. From the service provider's perspective, it is often difficult to determine the best way to reach landowners and get to the bottom of what their needs, goals, and desires are so we can be more helpful in assisting them with legacy planning. I have to say, the more I do this work, the more complicated it becomes. It’s highly emotional work and that is exactly where this resource, shared in October’s Ag Legacy Newsletter, hits home—at least in terms of family dynamics and planning for the future of the farm.
As someone who has been through the rigamarole of becoming a first-generation farmer, to finally becoming a landowner, to working with both beginning farmers and landowners in transition… I can attest to just how emotionally volatile this scene is—and is becoming more so day by day. Protecting mental health and awareness of these dynamics is critical to the success of stabilizing farm viability into the future.
Check out the resource, linked in the title.
Sponsor the 2025 Farmland Summit!
Will we have farming communities in the Upper Midwest in the future? Will young people become farmers? Will older farmers be able to retire?
The 2023 Farmland Summit was a smashing success, bringing together over 200 thought leaders, change agents, policymakers, and practitioners from around the Upper Midwest to dig into critical challenges and opportunities related to farmland access and transfer. Participants left feeling energized and motivated to find solutions to these challenges—with many asking “When’s the next one?!” You can read more about the event in the 2023 Summit Impact Report.
Dates are not yet set, but Renewing the Countryside will soon begin planning the 2025 Farmland Summit and is seeking sponsor support and engagement to ensure another riveting, inspiring, and educational event. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring this important gathering of change-makers, please reach out to Catie DeMets at catie@rtcinfo.org.
On October 9, the USDA announced new Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) awardees, including Renewing the Countryside for the continuation of the Farmland Access Hub and growth of the Farmland Access Navigator program. LAND ACCESS TRANSFORMATION: TIME + TRUST = CHANGE was awarded at $750K for three years.
“Starting or taking over a farm takes courage, and USDA wants to make sure our next generation of farmers have the resources and support they deserve to take that leap,” said Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.
You can read more about RTC’s and other BFRDP-awarded projects at the article linked in the title.
How Much Is Speculation Actually Driving Up the Cost of Farmland?
In recent years, there has been increasingly more information surfacing about the kinds of investors snatching up farmland—and why. The narrative of disappearing farms used to hug a more local storyline of corporate commodity farms buying their neighbors’ land and becoming super farms or developers pressuring farmland owners near metro areas to sell and create opportunities for new housing. While both are serious threats to the future of food production, they no longer seem to be the scariest. Buying farmland as an investment seems to be rapidly becoming one of America’s greatest threats—and the geography of the land plays a much smaller role.
Earlier this year, where I live in rural northwest Wisconsin, signs went up in several neighborhoods boasting hundreds of (and in one case 1,000+) acres of land for sale. Whispers began fluttering around the community. Who was selling that land? Who might buy it? Who would farm it? Would it even stay in farming? It was all mysteriously vague.
When I think about farmland access, creating access for investors to buy land is not what I have in mind… yet that is exactly what these investment firms are advertising. In this 2022 interview AcreTrader CEO Carter Molloy says, point blank, “We’re a platform for investors to gain access to farmland.” He then continues to explain that, historically this was only possible if an investor was willing to, “plop down a million dollars and manage a farm.”
Basically, AcreTrader streamlines the process of investing in valuable farmland, without having to do the farming, by placing the land in a limited liability corporation, or LLC, that investors can quickly and easily purchase shares of, online. The company handles administrative details and works with farmers via rental contracts. Investors receive a return on rental (from the tenant farmer), sometimes a percentage of crop sales, and they gain equity in the land.
The rate at which these kinds of firms are buying American and Australian farmland is increasing exponentially. This jaw-dropping tidbit from this Reuters article published in November of last year adds a little clarity and hopefully provides a strong incentive to get involved in pushing for stronger policies that halt farmland investment:
“The number of properties owned by such firms increased 231% between 2008 and the second quarter of 2023, and the value of those holdings rose more than 800% to around $16.2 billion, according to NCREIF's quarterly farmland index, which tracks the holdings of the seven largest firms in farmland investment.”
Even more astonishing is the fact that some of the investors buying up American farmland are foreign investors—and that’s got some politicians pretty outraged. We may not have thought it possible to find common ground (pun intended) between Republicans and Democrats, but farmland access appears to be bridging the political aisle. In this article by Brooks Lamb at American Farmland Trust, you can learn more about how politicians are voting together to promote state policies that support land access and transfer and make it illegal for foreign investors to buy American farmland.
Thankfully, it seems that investment firms only hold a small percentage of US farmland (for now) but this rapidly growing trend has a strong influence on the real estate market and is a big driver in escalating land prices. In the longrun it has potentially dire consequences for food production in the United States.
Which is why we need more people working to support stronger farmland access and protection policies. In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Farmland Policy Working Group, led by Angie Doucette at AFT is doing just that. If you’re interested in joining others to tackle these issues please reach out to Angie at Adoucette@farmland.org to get on the email list.
Additionally, Chuck Anderas at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is seeking funding opportunities for farmland policy work. If you are aware of grants other funding that might support this work please reach out to Chuck at canderas@michaelfields.org
Life After Farming Webinar Overview
Land access ultimately begins with who currently owns the land. In February of this year, and again in August and September, the Farmland Access Hub's Engaging Landowners Working Group hosted webinars to provide retiring farmers with information and resources pertaining to eventual farm transition planning. Through our work in the last few years, our partners have observed just how overwhelming and emotional this process can be.
In order to maintain privacy and encourage candor the September session followed a more loosely structured, open discussion format, facilitated by farm succession and transfer professionals. Participants had the opportunity to highlight questions and challenges with peers in small groups, followed by time to reflect with the larger group.
Participating landowners shared appreciation for the content and being connected to new tools and resources to help them along their planning process.
Here are some takeaways from attendees:
“The narratives we have and the narratives we understand are really critical.”
“Deeply held values—that’s where I need to stay. That’s such common ground for us to go to.”
“I learned I don’t have to sell my land all at once. I’m delighted that I can transition some of my land without having to make the decision yet to sell the whole thing.”
“I didn’t know about AFT’s conservation [resources]!”
“I’m now thinking about letting go of 13 or 20 acres to create access for an immigrant farmer— doing things in smaller bites—I’m trying to be really thoughtful.”
“It’s helpful to hear from other people who are in similar situations. It feels like we’re part of a community trying to do similar things.”
If you are interested in participating in the Engaging Landowners working group email bonnie@rtcinfo.org to get on the mailing list.
Learn how one Wisconsin landowner is protecting his conservation efforts for future generations with an easement at Hub partner Foxhead Regenerative Agriculture Project’s blog (linked in the title).
Right, from the blog post, Ken Bates at Hyggelig Farm in Green Lake, Wisconsin.
Just one of many challenges around land access, the lack of good-paying jobs in rural areas is a significant barrier to entry for beginning and immigrant farmers. In my work as a Farmland Access Navigator, I would say the majority of my clients who are seeking land access express an inability to move to rural areas due to being tied to employment in larger cities like Madison and Minneapolis/St. Paul. This drastically reduces their options for viable, affordable farmland.
In a recent article posted by the UW Division of Extension, experts note that:
“Several factors contribute to this trend, including the aging farm population and the high costs of starting a farming business for younger farmers. A critical reason for the decline is that many farms are unable to generate sufficient income to support a farm family or household.”
“One strategy that many farm families use to supplement their income is through off-farm employment. Historically, off-farm jobs have provided access to health insurance, with the income from these jobs viewed as supplementary.”
“However, for smaller farms (with sales of less than $100,000), off-farm income averaged 102.5% of farm family income, indicating that off-farm income is not just supplementary but is also supporting the farm enterprise itself.”
“The policy implications are evident: the dependency of rural communities on farming has reversed, with typical Wisconsin farms increasingly relying on rural communities and the employment opportunities they provide.”
Curious to learn more? Check out the full article, linked above.
As if land access isn’t difficult enough for farmers, it seems that ever-increasing real estate values, coupled with fluctuating grain prices, is impacting negotiations for cash leases. This article published by Morning Ag Clips explains why farmers and landowners are struggling with farm rental prices. (Article linked in the title).
LEFT: This image is AI generated
Opportunities for Farmers
Thanks for reading and make sure to check out these opportunities for farmers below, including educational resources and options for Minnesota and Wisconsin farmers to access capital.
Wisconsin Farmers Union Sustainability Stipend
Wisconsin Farmers Union & The Nature Conservancy are partnering to provide a stipend for underserved farmers in Wisconsin. Up to $2,000 may be received by any farm which may go towards efforts to improve the environmental and/or economic sustainability of your farm. Read more about how to access this resource at the link above!
This free resource by Farm Commons outlines financing options for non-related farmers interested in financing the cooperative purchase of land—including how to qualify for an FSA loan! Access the e-book via the link above.
New Farmer U
When: December 7 - 8, 2024
Where: Marine Mills Folk School
550 Pine St
Marine on St Croix, MN 55047
Join us December 7-8 for New Farmer U! Early-bird registration is now open until November 15th. Save $25 on your registration for this weekend of workshops tailored to intermediate-beginning farmers looking to learn business best practices!
These enriching sessions are designed to provide useful technical information, ample time for Q&A, peer-to-peer learning, and casual networking. Learn from Paul Dietman of Compeer Financial; Kriss Marion of Circle M Market Farm; Ryan Pesch, farmer and agricultural economist; Stephen Carpenter from Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) and more! Topics covered will include financial awareness, marketing, wholesale, dealing with adversity, and common legal issues. View the full schedule and register.
For information on scholarships please contact Marbleseed at
Phone: 888-906-6737 Email: registration@marbleseed.org
Registration is still open for the Urban Grower Business Skills Planning Course!
The first session is virtual and starts next Wednesday, November 6th, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Whether you grow food to build community, educate youth, for income, or all of the above, good business management practices can help you meet your goals.
Join us for a 6-session course, with 4 online sessions and 2 in-person sessions, to develop your business plan and good management practices for your farm or garden. There is no fee to participate. Each session will feature a producer who will share examples from their own farm of their records, their plans, and their management practices. During in-person workshops, develop or refine your own business plan and management practices through instructional time, small group discussions, and 1:1 coaching.
What to expect from this course:
organize your efforts to reach your goals
align your vision and values with your work plan
learn how to market your products and increase your community impact
tips from farmers on improving production efficiency and scaling up production
set up systems to track your costs, manage your operation, and plan for growth
connect with resources for ongoing support
For more information and to register click here.
The Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant program offers up to $20,000 for beginning farmers in Minnesota to make investments in their farm’s equipment and infrastructure. Click the link to read more at Minnesota Department of Agriculture's website and get your application started!