TRAER – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is conducting 11 in-person farmland lease meetings in Central Iowa in early August. Meeting sites include Altoona, Ames, Boone, Grinnell, Grundy Center, Indianola, Knoxville, Newton, Marshalltown, Oskaloosa, and Traer. Participants will also receive a 100-page Farmland Leasing Arrangements booklet.

The discussion will focus on various methods to determine a fair 2026 cash rental rate and the importance of good landlord/tenant communications. According to the May 2025 Annual Cash Rental Rates for Iowa Survey, File C2–10, the cash rental rates for Iowa farmland saw a slight decrease, dropping by 2.9% to a statewide average of $271 per acre. Most counties represented reported this decrease.

The Traer in-person meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 7, beginning at 1:30 p.m. This meeting will be at The Traer Public Library, 531 2nd St., Traer, IA 50675. Patrick Hatting, Farm Management Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will facilitate the two-hour meeting. Participants of the in-person meetings will receive a 100 page Farmland Leasing Arrangements booklet and meeting handouts designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agri-business professionals with issues related to farmland ownership, management, and leasing arrangements.

Pre-registration is required at least two days before the in-person meeting. Contact the ISU Tama County Extension office at 641-484-2703 to pre-register on or before Tuesday, Aug. 5, before noon. The $25 per individual fee with one book is payable at the door.

For a list of meetings statewide, check the ISU Extension calendar for a meeting time for the county you want to attend at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html.