UW-Madison Farmland Lease Workshops This October

By Blake Jackson

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension will host a series of farmland lease workshops this October to help landowners, tenants, and others better understand agricultural leasing.

Topics will include setting fair rental rates, land management considerations, legal risks, effective communication strategies, lease termination, and other aspects of farmland leases.

“More than one-third of Wisconsin’s farmland is rented, and strong landowner/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s valuable farmland,” said Kelly Wilfert, attorney and Farm Law Outreach Specialist with Extension.

“Every agreement is unique, and attending a workshop is a great way to learn more or ask questions on specific aspects of farm lease arrangements.”

Workshops will be held at six locations across the state:

• Dodgeville: October 9, 10 a.m.-Noon, Extension Iowa County, 303 W Chapel St, Dodgeville, WI 53533
• Juneau: October 9, 3-5 p.m., Extension Dodge County, 127 E Oak St, Juneau, WI 53039
• Chippewa Falls: October 14, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Chippewa County Courthouse, 711 N Bridge St, Ste 1, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
• Wausau: October 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Extension Marathon County, 1000 Lake View Dr, Wausau, WI 54403
• Manitowoc: October 21, 6-8 p.m., Manitowoc County Office Complex, Room 300, 4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220

Each registered participant will receive a free copy of the new Wisconsin Guide to Farmland Leasing, which addresses legal considerations, designing lease payments, calculating payments, succession planning, and includes sample lease forms to assist with negotiations.

Registration is $25 per person and includes workshop materials. To register, visit https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/farmleasing25/farmleasing/Site/Register.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and programming and can accommodate interpreters, alternative language or format materials, and other accessibility needs at no additional cost.

Requests should be made by September 12, 2025, by contacting Kelly Wilfert at kelly.wilfert@wisc.edu. For further information, call (608) 263-5798.

Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer