Local farmland owners, producers and other interested parties are invited to join Cass County Extension for the 2016 Farm Leasing Arrangements meeting, set for August 8 in Atlantic from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Cass County Community Center at 805 West 10th Street.

Besides the standard topics of land value and cash rental rate trends, this year’s special topic is costs of production. Landlords and tenants are more interested in costs when farming is not as profitable. They have to figure out how much money is available and decide where cuts can be made.

In January 2016, participants from last year’s Farm Leasing Arrangements meetings across Iowa completed a follow-up evaluation. According to the results, people attended to get an update on the rental market. One participant wrote, “The meeting helps me have informed discussions with the farmer, hopefully arriving at a fair price on the rent and being good custodians of the land.” Participants’ most requested topic for 2016 was costs of production.

Tim Eggers, Iowa State University Extension Field Agricultural Economist, said, “With last year’s participants requesting more information on the tenant’s costs of production, I wanted a hands-on activity instead of more slides.” He continued, “We’re going to play a game so participants experience decisions tenants make every year.”

The Farm Leasing Arrangements meeting will give landowners, tenants, and agri-business professionals information and materials they need to make decisions regarding farmland ownership, management, and leasing practices.

The Farm Leasing Arrangements meeting costs $15 per person, which includes the 100-page Farm Leasing Arrangements booklet and a copy of the presentation. Pre-registration is required and limited to 30 people. To register, call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email xcass@iastate.edu.