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MEDIA RELEASE

April 10, 2003
Written By Kent Thiesse, U of M Extension Service (507-389-8141)

Land Rental Information On The Internet

Each year the county extension offices get frequent calls for farm rental agreement outlines. Midwest Plan Service (MPS) is a very good source of accessing a variety of University rental forms, according to Chick Schwartau, Regional Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. The easiest way to access the MPS forms is through the MPS web site, and then "click" on the "free materials" link and it will take you to a page that includes lease forms. The web site address is : www.mwpshq.org/.

Schwartau said that these forms are generic in nature and should be modified as necessary to fit individual situations, but they do remind tenants and landlords of some of the key points to cover in an agreement. There are outlines for cash rent, crop share, pastures, and building rental agreements available on the page. These can be printed directly from your computer.

Schwartau recommends having all rental agreements in writing. It is not a matter of mistrust, but rather one of good business. Should anything happen to one of the principle parties during the term of the lease, a written lease helps those handling the legal affairs know what has been done or needs to be done to complete the lease agreement.

Kent Thiesse, Blue Earth and Faribault County Extension Director, indicates that the entire Extension Service "Land Rental Survey for 2002-2003" is available for the first time on the Extension Service web site. This Land Rental Survey publication contains average cash rental rates for 2002 and 2003 in 14 South Central Minnesota counties. The publication also contains information on flexible cash and share rental agreements, ag drainage agreements, farm building rentals, and has a sample cash rental lease agreement. The web site address for the Land Rental Survey booklet is : http://www.extension.umn.edu/county/blueearth/

For more information about rental agreements for land rent, pasture rent, building rent, etc., please contact your local County Extension Office. Printed copies of the Land Rental Survey Booklet are also available for $3.00 each at the Blue Earth County Extension Office in Mankato at (507) 389-8325 or the Faribault County Extension Office in Blue Earth at (507) 526-6240.

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Chuck Schwartau is an Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service in Ag Production - Dairy serving Southeast District He can be reached at 1- 651-385-3100 or 1-800-385-3101.