By JEFF BURBRINK

Extension Educator Purdue Extension

GOSHEN — Whether it is through land purchases, inheritance, gifts or other means, there has been a large increase in the number of people who have become farmland owners, but do not farm the land. Often times the owners have little or no knowledge, or interest in agriculture, yet they still have the responsibilities of ownership.

As the trend developed, a new type of consultant emerged to assist these non-farming landowners – the professional farm manager. One of their primary responsibilities is to determine what the owners wants to achieve with the farm. In some cases, the goal is to preserve the family farmstead. In other cases, the goal may be to maximize income. Other goals may be to find capable tenants, maintain soil productivity, and improve the looks or profitability of the farm.

Professional farm managers often wear three hats. For some clients, they serve strictly as a consultant, helping the owner decide if they chose course of action is practical or feasible. For other clients, the farm manager may serve as an intermediary between the owners and attendant, providing information to both parties, preparing financial reports, and generally representing the owner’s interest. In some cases, depending on the wishes of the owner, farm managers may supervise the planning of new buildings or other improvements like tiling, help with timber sales, or oversee he purchases of inputs such as fertilizer and other farm inputs, or help develop a marketing plan.

Several people I know have benefitted from the use of professional farm managers, especially absentee landowners and those landowners with little or no farming experience. Farmers, too, have told me that it is often a good experience to work with a professional farm manager who can clearly define what the landowner’s expectations are, and help the owner understand how farm businesses operate in this modern era.

The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers has a website where you can search for a professional farm manger. You can search the site by state to find someone who works in the state where your land is. Visit the site.