Land Link connects beginning and expanding farmers and ranchers with retiring farmers and ranchers and other landowners who want to see their land stay in agriculture.
We operate as a statewide program, offering land seekers a much greater diversity of types, sizes, and locations for their farmland search.
We understand that many landowners feel a strong connection to the land and have a sense of responsibility for its stewardship. They want to see it continue to be farmed but may not know any farmers who are looking to get started or expand existing operations. Similarly, we know that accessing affordable farmland is one of the biggest barriers to entry facing beginning farmers and one of the biggest barriers to established farmers who want to stay competitive and expand.
ABOUT LAND LINK
This site makes it possible for land seekers and landowners to create a FREE, in-depth profile posting that provide pertinent information about their farmland dreams or farmland in Montana.
LAND LINK FAQ
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How do I see profile postings?
You can see basic information information on the site even without creating an account. Click “listings” and you’ll be taken to a page where you can look at profiles on the Map. The search can be narrowed by selecting a tab above the Map. The view can be changed by clicking “list”.
Profiles can be viewed, but in order to view the contact information and contact people directly, you’ll need to have your own account through CFAC and an approved application.
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How do I create an account?
You can create an account by clicking “register” in the top right corner of the website.
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How do I create a listing?
You can only create a listing after filling out an application, which can be found in the dropdown menu under Land, for either Landowners and Land Seekers. The application allows you to save your work and come back to finish it later.
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What if I need to modify my profile posting?
You can update your listing at any time and are expected to at least annually to verify that you are indeed still looking for land. This will ensure that the listings on our site are fresh, current, and accurate.
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How long will it take to create a profile?
It may take us 3-5 days business days to review your application to ensure that land seekers have 2 years of experience and planning to find land for commercial agricultural enterprise. Once your application has been approved by CFAC staff it will automatically be added to the listings page.
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Will my profile expire? Can it be renewed?
Your listing will not expire, but we do expect listings to be updated at least annually to verify “active” status. Listings can be updated at anytime through your account. If you do not update your listing at least once every 12 months, we will send a notice to remind you. If you do not update your listing we will then take it down. If you want to renew your listing, it is saved in your account, so you can reactivate it at any time but updating it and resubmitting the application.
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Do I need to keep checking back for updates and for news of Land Link events?
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You should be checking in for updates, but it is helpful to follow our Instagram account and sign up for our monthly Farm Link e-newsletter for events and new listings.
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What else can I do to improve my odds of finding farmland or a farmer?
We encourage you to check out the resource and event postings we have provided on this website even before you begin talking with farmland owners or farmers. Click on “Resources” to find business startup steps and planning resources. The more prepared you are for thinking through how exactly an arrangement will work, the more likely that arrangement will work over time.
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Can I talk to someone to get advice?
Yes! Feel free to email Mary if you need advice or have any questions.
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What advice do you have for reaching out to a farmland owner or farmer?
Take one step at a time – start with an email exchange to ask factual questions and share key facts about yourself and what you are looking for. The information you both gather and how you each communicate should help you both figure out if it seems like a good match. A phone call would be another opportunity to ask and answer more questions and perhaps set up an in person meeting.
Try to find a good personality and value match – the more ongoing contact you have with a farmer or farmland owner, the more personalities and values will determine whether that arrangement is a success. Do not feel like you need to make any decisions or commitments at the first meeting.
More tips for match making can be found on the Landowner and Land Seeker pages. We recommend you look at both pages to understand what both parties are looking for.
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Do you have some general advice on the search for farmland or a farmer for one’s land?
1. Try reaching out to the Landowners rather than waiting for them to contact you.
2. Use lots of strategies for looking for the right land or right farmers – this website should be just one of your efforts.
3. Give yourself enough time and be persistent – it takes time to find the right match. It takes more time to work out agreements or financing or other necessary steps. Keep plugging away over time. Keep a journal on your strategies, goals, and connections.
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Can I use Land Link to find land for a homestead?
Land Seekers must be looking for land to support commercial agriculture – while we absolutely support homesteading, supporting the ag economy is a key part of our organizational mission.
For more information on the program, visit the links to the right to learn more about the program, apply to have your land listed in the program, and view our current listings.
Can’t find what you are looking for on Land Link? Try these other resources for land
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Craigslist
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Farm newspapers and magazines
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Local Ads
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Local Realtor
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Your local Community – word of mouth