U of M Extension launches new online land rent survey
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- To help provide landowners and operators with timely, accurate data when they sit down to negotiate rental contracts, University of Minnesota Extension will conduct an online statewide land rental survey Aug. 31 through Sept. 18 at www.extension.umn.edu/AgBusinessManagement.
The goal is to collect data and establish numbers that are useful to both landowners and operators. The simple, seven-question survey, developed by Extension educators in agricultural business management, is an attempt to help resolve discrepancies.
The questionnaire does not request personal information; only county and township rental rates will be published. The online survey will be available beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 31 and closes at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 18. Once on the site, www.extension.umn.edu/AgBusinessManagement, click on "MN Land Rent Survey" and begin entering data. There is room in the survey for entering up to 10 parcels of land. Simply sign onto the Web site, read the introduction and follow the instructions.
Individuals entering data on their personal computers and in need of assistance can contact one of the following Extension employees: Kathy Eckwright, 507-389-6972; Gary Hachfeld, 507-389-6722; Robert Holcomb, 507-337-2807; or David Bau, 507- 372-3906. Individuals who do not have access to a computer and need assistance should make an appointment with the nearest county or regional Extension office.
The land rent data will be published to the same Web site by mid October, and made available to landowners, operators and others who may be interested. The data is intended to be a guide at best and not meant to establish, determine, set or fix rental rates in any way.
