Selling Iowa's Historic Prison Farms
During the Great Depression, when food was scarce across the country, men incarcerated at the Anamosa State Penitentiary grew the vegetables and fruit they ate behind bars. They raised hogs, cattle and poultry, collected eggs and even made milk, cheese and ice cream.
Prison farms in Iowa and across the country not only supplied food for incarcerated people but they were the first prison vocational programs outside prison walls.
The state now is considering selling more than 4,000 acres of farmland surrounding Iowa prisons and other residential facilities to raise an estimated $32.7 million. About one-third of the land is near the Anamosa prison, and likely includes a farm on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Across the Country, a Big Backlash to New Renewables Is Mounting
In four terms as a county elected official in northern Ohio, it was the most contentious issue Doug Weisenauer had ever seen.
The state legislature had newly empowered county governments to drastically restrict wind and solar power development, a process formerly overseen by the Ohio Power Siting Board, and the meetings of the three-member governing body for Crawford County (population 41,754) suddenly started becoming a lot more animated.
“As soon as Senate Bill 52 passed, the anti-wind people, they started converging on our weekly commissioners’ meetings and demanding that we do something,” said Weisenauer, a Republican, like the other two members of Crawford County Commission.
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South Carolina Farm Where Alex Murdaugh Is Accused of Murdering His Wife and Son About To Be Sold
The South Carolina hunting lodge where a scandal-plagued lawyer’s wife and son were shot to death and a housekeeper mysteriously died is about to make its way out of legal purgatory as the blockbuster trial against Alex Murdaugh continues.
The 1,772.2-acre farm, spanning two counties about 90 minutes west of Charleston, SC, is expected to close on March 8, says John T. Lay. He is one of two court-appointed attorneys charged with overseeing and liquidating Alex’s assets and then putting them into a trust to compensate his victims.
It includes a four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home built in 2011. The nearly 5.300-square-foot residence includes a game room, and there is also a 1,140-square-foot guest cottage on the property. The sprawling property encompasses more than 2.5 miles of property along the Salkehatchie River, a 20-acre dove field, and 12 dog kennels
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Will Missouri Cropland Values Cool Off After Red-Hot 2022?
Good non-irrigated Missouri cropland cost farmers, on average, 31% more in 2022. Factoring in the ag economy and interest rates, agriculture lenders remain mixed on whether the tide of rising land values will turn in 2023.
A team of MU Extension economists specializing in markets, policy and finance traveled the state at the end of last year, talking interest rates, inflation, commodity markets and inputs during ag seminars. Throughout the series, 274 agricultural lenders Missouri shared their expectations for the year ahead as they relate to the agricultural economy and land values.
“Lenders were largely unified in expecting increased spring anhydrous prices, higher feeder cattle prices, lower corn prices and decreased corn exports out of the Black Sea region in 2023,” says Ben Brown, a University of Missouri Extension ag economist. “Most attending lenders also expected the federal funds rate would exceed 4.75% by October 2023.”
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'It Looks Like a War Zone': Texas Farmer Describes Wheat Crop Now Ravaged by Sunday's Derecho and Dust Storm
Scenes across Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas this week strongly resembled the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. Winds topping 100 mph only added to the scars the two-year drought has etched into the area. Now, growers are dealing with a dryland wheat crop that could already see abandonment as high as 80%.
Photos and videos from the area portray scenes from Sunday’s storm. Quentin Shieldknight, a farmer in Spearman, Texas, says the area had already been ravaged by high winds this month. Sunday’s storm then finished off some of the wheat crop.
“I would say the dryland wheat's probably done,” Shieldknight told Farm Journal. “I would say the static electricity generated by that storm yesterday is probably going to be rather significant.”
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ASFMRA Government Relations Update
House Agriculture Committee Holds First Listening Session in California
The House Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson (R-PA hosted his first official Farm Bill listening session in Tulare, California at the World Ag. Expo.
The bipartisan panel featured members from across the country, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Representatives David Valadao (R- CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), David Rouzer (R-NC), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (DCA), John Rose (R-TN), and John Duarte (R-CA). Both Speaker McCarthy and Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson committed to completing the farm bill this year. Speaker McCarthy also said Republicans will review work requirements associated with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which could make passing a bipartisan bill in the House this year difficult.
Senate Agriculture Committee Asks for Farm Bill Input
Senators Stabenow (D-MI) and Boozman (R-AR), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued a joint statement last week asking for public input as the Senate Agriculture Committee reviews the 2018 farm bill. In part the joint statement said: “Every farm bill impacts a vast array of industries and stakeholders at the center of our country’s agricultural economy, rural communities, and efforts to support vulnerable Americans. As we begin our bipartisan work on the 2023 farm bill, we are again inviting this valuable input so that the Senate can deliver a farm bill for the American people.”
USDA Expects Farm Income Lower but to Remain Above Average
Presenting at the USDA Annual Outlook Conference last week, USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyers reported that USDA expects net farm income to be lower in 2023 than the record high 2022 but still higher than the long-term average. One large question for producers is how quickly input prices decline. The full presentation can be found here.
CBO Updates Baseline
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its budget and economic projections for 2023 – 2033. The CBO projects a deficit of $1.4 trillion for FY 2023 and continued deficits over the 10-year period. Debt held by the public is projected to rise in relation to the size of the economy each year, reaching 118 percent of GDP by 2033—which would be the highest level ever recorded. Debt would continue to grow beyond 2033 if current laws generally remained unchanged. The report bolsters the argument currently being made by Republicans that policies must be enacted to contain Federal spending.
As part of the budget release, CBO provides detailed projections of spending under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture Committees. This forms what is called “baseline” spending for the farm bill. For the 10-year period beginning with fiscal year 2024, the CBO projects total spending for the farm bill at approximately $1.4 trillion, making the 2023 farm bill the first one to cost more than $1 trillion. The 2023 farm bill baseline is an increase of nearly 65% or $559 billion from the cost of the 2018 Farm Bill at the time of passage. The bulk of this increase is for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which will cost nearly $1.2 trillion over the 10-year period. Crop insurance spending comes in a distance second at $97 billion over the 10-year period. Commodity program spending totals $62 billion and Conservation program spending $57.5 billion over the ten-year period.
House and Senate Agriculture Committees Announce Subcommittee Membership
Completing the organizational requirements for the Agriculture Committees, both the House and Senate announced subcommittee rosters. The House announcement is here. The Senate announcement is here.
CRP Sign-up Announced
USDA announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023.
Welcome New Members
Help us welcome our newest members to ASFMRA! We are thrilled that you have chosen ASFMRA as the organization to be affiliated with. Because of you, ASFMRA continues to grow and support rural property professionals across the nation!
We are recognizing new members of the Society on a monthly basis. You may recognize your colleagues in the following list and we encourage you to welcome them into ASFMRA!
New Members
Wendy Ashley with AgCarolina Farm Credit in Ahoskie, NC (Carolinas Virginias Chapter)
Gregory Billings in Sierra Vista, AZ (Arizona Chapter)
Leonard Breedlove, III with Triangle East Appraisals in Rocky Mount, NC (Carolinas Virginias Chapter)
Kathleen Brown in Knoxville, TN (Mid-South Chapter)
Bruce Cannon with Cannon Appraisal in Findlay, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Jake Costanzo with Peoples Company in Clive, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Hayley Daniels with First Mid Ag Services in Maroa, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Dalton Davis with Farm Credit of Mid-America in Thorntown, IN (Indiana Chapter)
Nate Downey with Peoples Company in Indianola, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Cedrick Drahn with High Point Land Company in Farmersburg, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Roger Edmondson with CountyRecords.com in Kyle, TX (Texas Chapter)
Joshua Eisenman with Eisenman Farms LLC in Spokane, WA (Washington Chapter)
John Fair with Legacy Valuation, LLC in Kennesaw, GA (Georgia Chapter)
James Ferguson with Sable Ag in LeRoy, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Joshua Filson in West Jefferson, OH (Ohio Chapter)
Samantha Fleming with Compeer Financial in Freeport, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Nathan Goddard with Farm Credit East ALA in Gilbertville, MA (Northeast Chapter)
Dustin Hakman with Farm Credit Illinois in Effingham, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Tyson Hall with Masters-Hall Appraisal in Middleton, WI (Wisconsin Chapter)
Taylor Hand in Tyler, TX (Texas Chapter)
Austin Harris with American forest Management, Inc. in Charlotte, NC (Carolinas Virginias Chapter)
Cody Harris in Mussey, MI (Michigan Chapter)
Brandon Holmes with Holmes Real Estate Appraisal Co., LLC in Bigfork, MT (Montana Chapter)
Rebekah Horton with Agriland Advisors in Mesilla Park, NM (New Mexico Chapter)
Kalyn Horvey in Rapid City, SD (South Dakota Chapter)
Paul Hubert with Farmers National Company in York, NE (Nebraska Chapter)
David Hurst with Myers Appraisal LLC in Lancaster, KY (Kentucky Chapter)
Kaleb Huxoll with Farmers National Company in Hendley, NE (Nebraska Chapter)
Kelli Johnson with AVSO in Sacramento, CA (California Chapter)
Alicia Jupka with U.S. Forest Service in Billings, MT (Montana Chapter)
Nicholas Kernan with US Dept. of the Interior in Golden, CO (Colorado Chapter)
Briana Lamphier with LC Valuation Group in Cedaredge, CO (Colorado Chapter)
Jacob Liening with Peoples Company in Walla Walla, WA (Oregon and Washington Chapters)
William Mackey with Bill Mackey Real Estate in Demopolis, AL (Alabama Chapter)
Tanner Martin in Calvert City, KY (Kentucky Chapter)
Patrick McPheeters in Kirkwood, MO (Missouri and Northeast Chapters)
Rylie Miller with Farmers National Company in Lafayette, IN (Indiana Chapter)
Jack Niemeyer in Auxvasse, MO (Missouri Chapter)
Shea Nixon with Stout in Houston, TX (Texas Chapter)
David Oberrender with Kokel-Oberrender-Wood Appraisal, Ltd. In Georgetown, TX (Texas Chapter)
Trenton Pinnell in Kansas, IL (Illinois Chapter)
William Prazak in Quitman, TX (Texas Chapter)
Don Putz with Hertz Farm Management in Dysart, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Addison Rucker in Staunton, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Trevor Salisbury with Farmland Reserve, Inc. in Nobelesville, IN (Indiana Chapter)
Calley Satriana with Ag New Mexico Farm Credit in Dona Ana, NM (New Mexico Chapter)
Owen Saxton in Eldridge, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Nicole Schaefer with Compeer Financial in Ottawa, IL (Illinois Chapter)
Paul Sullivan in Alda, NE (Nebraska Chapter)
Scott Swanbery with Lunar Holdings LLC dba Lunar Appraisal Group in Mesa, AZ (Arizona Chapter)
Travis Swinson with Travis Swinson in Spruce, MI (Michigan Chapter)
Dustin Tetzlaff with Burlage Peterson Auctioneers & Realtors, LLC in Brookings, SD (South Dakota Chapter)
Bethany Toews with U.S. Department of the Interior – AVSO in Wolf Point, MT (Montana Chapter)
Mark Van Elswyk with UBS Farmland Investors, LLC in Merced, CA (California Chapter)
Richard Vojta with Terra Firma Consulting in Galena, IL (Colorado Chapter)
Jessie Ward with Farm Credit Services of America in Ryan, IA (Iowa Chapter)
Mikki Warnock with Farm Credit Mid-America in Marion, IN (Indiana Chapter)
Lori Weykman with Agrinomic Insights in Clifton Springs, NY (Northeast Chapter)
Jeanne Williams with Hertz Appraisal Services, Inc. in Mankato, MN (Minnesota Chapter)
Share Your Experience - Make a Referral
You know first-hand what a great organization ASFMRA is and what it means to you both professionally and personally. We thank you for spreading the word, you are the driving force behind our continued growth! Talk to those you know who would benefit from ASFMRA’s educational offerings, networking, and meetings. Let them know your experiences of being involved in this great association and some of the business contacts you have made along with lasting friendships. Your peers listed below have done just that! They spoke to individuals about ASFMRA and those individuals have now become members of ASFMRA!
Maria Boerngen
Richard Dockery, ARA-Retired
Gatlin Fenwick
Blake Florell, AFM
Kimball Frome, RPRA
Tarah Goodman
Timothy Hansen, RPRA
Boyd Harris
William Hodges, ARA
Donald Jacobs, AFM
Terry Kestner, ARA, RPRA
Tanner Knowlton
Kimberly Larson
David Lawhon
Emily Lucke
Michael Mays, ARA
Colin McVaugh, ARA
Brian Neville, AFM
Mickey Nixon, ARA
Hunter Norland
Deanne Phelps
Jim Pruitt, RPRA
Matthew Pullen
Kent Reid
Bailey Reynolds
Brian Rideout
Erik Roget, AFM, ARA, RPRA
Kenneth Rountree
Graham Smith
Rebecca Stone, ARA
Morgan Troendle, AFM
Justin Uhrig
Mark Van Den Berg, ARA
Raymond Wagester, ARA
Kyle Walker, AFM, AAC
Lee Williams, AFM
Thank you to all who have referred someone and in some cases, more than one, to join ASFMRA.