Blogs by Marilyn Cline

How Government Policies Like Tariffs and the American Relief Act May Impact Midwest Farmland Values

 April 22, 2025
 Land Management   Land Values   Industry Insights 

Midwest farmland values have long been a barometer of agricultural health, yet they are traditionally insulated from significant fluctuation caused by government policies or shifts in the general economy.

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Positioning Your Farm to “Yield” the Best Results

 April 16, 2025
 Land Management 

Learn how to position your farmland for maximum profitability and long-term value. In this comprehensive guide, George Baird, AFM, AAC with Peoples Company Land Management, shares expert insights on assessing land potential, leveraging USDA programs, negotiating effective leases, and staying informed on ag economics. Discover tools like FarmWorth, custom mapping solutions, and farmland assessments to help landowners make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Factors That Affect the Value of Agricultural Land: A Complete Guide for Buyers and Sellers

 March 12, 2025
 Agriculture   Land Values 

The value of agricultural land is influenced by several factors, from soil quality to market demand. Whether you’re buying, selling, or appraising farmland, understanding these elements can help you make informed decisions. In this blog, we’ll explore the most critical factors affecting farmland prices and how they impact land valuation.

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Cotton Production in the Mid-South: A Staple of Agriculture

 November 25, 2024
 Land Management 

Cotton has long been a cornerstone of agriculture in the Mid-South, a region known for its fertile soil, favorable climate, and rich agricultural heritage. The Mid-South, stretching across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri Bootheel, and Louisiana, has become one of the leading cotton-producing areas in the United States. This article explores the factors contributing to successful cotton production in the region, the cultivation process, and the challenges faced by farmers.

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Rooted in an ARA Designation

 November 25, 2024
 Agriculture   News & Events 

Growing up on my family’s dairy farm in the picturesque hills of Northeast Iowa, I always felt a deep sense of peace walking along the pastures and field driveways. Even though I didn’t know where those walks might lead, there was something grounding about them. Today, I find that same sense of stability when I talk with landowners about their family farms or recent land investments. After 12 years in the appraisal field, I’m honored to hold the ARA designation, which has been both humbling and grounding in my career.

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The Benefits of Using a 1031 Exchange to Invest in Mineral Rights

 October 7, 2024
 Energy Management 

For savvy investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and defer capital gains taxes, the IRS 1031 exchange provides an excellent opportunity. For qualified transactions, one of the lesser-known yet advantageous investment options for a 1031 exchange is mineral rights. Here’s why more investors are turning their attention underground, quite literally, by exchanging them for minerals.

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Drilling Sideways: The High-Tech Magic of Horizontal Oil Wells

 August 7, 2024
 Energy Management 

Horizontal drilling technology has revolutionized the oil and gas industry, unlocking previously inaccessible reserves and dramatically increasing production efficiency. This advanced method involves drilling vertically to a predetermined depth and then gradually curving the wellbore to extend horizontally through the targeted oil or gas reservoir. The process, although complex, offers numerous advantages over traditional vertical drilling, making it a cornerstone of modern petroleum extraction.

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California Farmland Investment in a Dynamic Market

 July 10, 2024
 Land Values   Real Estate 

California has long been the United States’ most significant agricultural producer in terms of crop diversity and total crop value – its ag exports alone are worth more than the total production of 44 states and California is the only state that generates over 10% of America’s agricultural receipts.

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Renewable Energy in the Midwest: Powering the Future

 July 1, 2024
 Energy Management 

The Midwest region of the United States, known for its expansive farmlands and agricultural heritage, is becoming a powerhouse for renewable energy development. This transformation is driven by the region's abundant natural resources, technological advancements, and supportive policy frameworks. In this article, we explore the current landscape of renewable energy in the Midwest, focusing on wind and solar power, and the benefits and challenges associated with this green revolution.

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Powering Progress: Exploring Renewable Energy Initiatives in the Pacific Northwest

 April 30, 2024
 Energy Management 

The Pacific Northwest stands as a beacon of environmental stewardship, and renewable energy plays a pivotal role in amplifying its positive impacts. With its lush forests, abundant rivers, and stunning coastlines, the region embodies a natural harmony that renewable energy technologies complement.

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