December 2024

Seems like Thanksgiving was just yesterday, and now Christmas is right around the corner. The Brownfield Family enjoyed Thanksgiving at my family farm at Thawville, Illinois about one hundred miles south of my home in Naperville, Illinois. It was a very windy day, cold with breezes ruffling the curtains in the over one hundred twenty-five-year-old farm home I was born and raised in.

We didn’t seem to mind the draft from around the old window frames when I was a kid, but now living in an almost airtight home, I can sure feel the difference. But we stayed in, watched a lot of football, shared a great meal prepared by my wife Patty, and enjoyed being together.

Speaking of family farms, the USDA reports nearly all United States farms are family farms. AgWeb (Margy Eckelkamp) reports that family farms still dominate a majority of United States farms, having accounted for about 96% of total farms and 83% of production in 2023.

A family farm is defined as a farm in which most of the business is owned by a farm operator and/or any individual related by blood, marriage, or adoption, including relatives who do not live in the farm operator’s household.

The USDA study found that 86% are small family farms with less than $350,000 gross farm income, and large-scale family farms with $1,000,000 or more gross farm income.

I was a bit surprised to see that Successful Farming (Chuck Abbott) reported about 68% of the large crop farmers use precision agriculture technology that generates information that aids decision making by farm operators (yield monitors, yield maps, soil maps). All the farm operators that Land Pro LLC works with utilize GPS precision technology to its fullest extent.

Most crop farmers are enduring a downward economic cycle, creating, for many, marginal to negative returns for 2025. It has been reported that Congress may try to push through the Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act which could result in a USDA payment of about $101 per acre for corn, $53 per acre for soybeans, and $73 per acre for wheat, to be paid to eligible farm operators.

With the recent election resulting in new leadership changes in the House and Senate as well as the overall Administration, I would be very surprised to see any such USDA payments soon.

With the Administration changing, there is concern regarding foreign trade as it relates to the possibility of tariffs. Without diving too deeply into politics, it seems our current Administration did not get heavily involved with foreign trade, particularly in the agriculture sector. We have the production capability to produce much more grain than can be utilized in the United States. Foreign trade is essential to our agriculture economy.

A quote from Terry Branstad (former Governor of Iowa and former Ambassador to China), “I know people are concerned about the tariffs, but the fact is, the new Administration looks at tariffs as a way to get their attention and eventually to get better and reciprocal trade agreements”. We shall see what really happens, so stay tuned after January 20, 2025.

Because of narrow, marginal, or negative income, it is possible that some farm operators may be in a position with their lender to be unable to fulfill their cash rental lease contractual obligations. Many 2025 cash rental payments are due March 1 or April 1, and some may be split with the other half due October 1 or November 1.

Some farm operators may be hoping to secure a needed line of credit but may not know for sure if they have loan approval until January of February of 2025. No one likes surprises, so it might make sense to discuss rents for 2025 with the farm operator as soon as possible to be assured all is well.

Land Pro LLC has been very active in the real estate brokerage arena. A high quality 101-acre farm in LaSalle County will be auctioned in-person and live online from the Pine Hills Golf Course (Ottawa, IL) on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm. The Land Pro LLC farm management portfolio grew in 2024, for which we greatly appreciate. All in all, 2024 was a very good year for Land Pro LLC.

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ray L. Brownfield, ALC AFM

Land Pro LLC

ray@landprollc.us

LaSalle County, Illinois | January 21, 2025

The Mary Friestad Farm is an excellent investment opportunity, has good drainage with highly productive Class A soils (PI 136.9), is partially (southeast 40 acres) annexed to Ottawa, Illinois, and near the I-80/IL-23 interchange.

The Mary Friestad Farm is 12.9 miles east of LaSalle, 74.9 miles northeast of Bloomington, 76.5 miles northeast of Peoria, 83.1 miles southwest of Chicago, 83.5 miles southeast of Rockford, 95.7 miles southeast of Moline, 143.0 miles northeast of Springfield. GPS 41.382990, -88.853437 

From the I-80 and Illinois 23 exit, travel north for approximately .4 miles to N 31st Road, turning left (west). Travel approximately .5 miles to the Mary Friestad Farm which will be on your right (north).

~

Ray L. Brownfield, ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

630.258.4800 | ray@landprollc.us

The Deer Park 25 Property contains 25.41 surveyed acres and is mostly wooded (15 acres of hardwoods) with some tillable acreage (6.60 acres), 4.40 CRP acres, and is in Section 14 of Deer Park Township in LaSalle County, Illinois.

The Deer Park 25 Property is 8.2 miles west of Grand Ridge, 12.6 miles southwest of Ottawa, 16.3 miles northwest of Streator, 64.6 miles north of Bloomington, 83.6 miles southeast of Rockford, 95.8 miles southwest of Chicago, 95.8 miles southeast of Moline, and 136.0 miles northeast of Springfield, Illinois.

From the Burlington Avenue and N 21st Road (Main Street) intersection in Grand Ridge, Illinois, travel 1.3 miles west on N 21st Road turning north on E 16th Road. Continue on E 16th Road for 0.5 miles, turning west on to N 2150th Road for 5.5 miles. Turn south on E 1075th Road for .9 miles. The Deer Park 25 Property is located on the west side of E 1075th Road.

~

Jason J. Lestina ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Licensed IL Real Estate Managing Broker

Licensed IN Real Estate Managing Broker

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

815.546.8276 | jason@landprollc.us

The Solarfield Farm is leased (20-year term) to Summit Ridge Solar at $1,250 per acre, per year, paid monthly with a 2% annual escalator and three, 5-year extension options. An electric substation is adjacent to the property. The Engel 1 Solar Lease (15.53 acres) Operating commencement was January 10, 2023 and the Engel 1A Solar Lease (15.222 acres) Operating commencement was October 1, 2023. There are no buildings and the farm lease is open for 2025.

The property is 4.2 miles northwest of Sandwich, 29.7 miles northeast of Mendota, 62.2 miles northwest of Chicago, 62.6 miles southeast of Rockford, 102.0 miles north of Bloomington, 121.0 miles northeast of Moline, 170.0 miles northeast of Springfield. GPS 41.685132, -88.653661

From the intersection of Center Street and Main Street in Sandwich, Illinois, travel west 2.4 miles on Center Street (turns into Suydam Road), then north 2.0 miles on Somonauk Road (Co Hwy 10). From the intersection of IL 38 and 4th Street (IL 23), travel south for 11.1 miles, then east on US Hwy 30 for 5.2 miles, turning south on Somonauk Road (Co Hwy 10) for 5.8 miles.

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Jason J. Lestina ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Licensed IL Real Estate Managing Broker

Licensed IN Real Estate Managing Broker

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

815.546.8276 | jason@landprollc.us

The Husking Peg Farm is nearly all tillable with rolling topography. The 224.41± tax acre farm is situated in the W½ of Section 36, Pine Rock Township, T.23N.-R.11E., Ogle County, Illinois. There are no buildings, and the farm lease is open for 2025.

The farm is 2.8 miles southwest of Flagg Center, 6.8 miles northwest of Rochelle, 27.9 miles southwest of Rockford, 85.5 miles northeast of Moline, 87.1 miles west of Chicago, 110.0 miles northwest of Bloomington, 178.0 miles northeast of Springfield. GPS 41.933742, -89.175597

From the N 7th Street and 5th Avenue intersection in Rochelle, Illinois, travel north on N 7th Street for 1.2 miles, then west on Flagg Road for 5.6 miles. The property is located at the northwest corner of Flagg Road and Bend Road.

~

Ray L. Brownfield, ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

630.258.4800 | ray@landprollc.us

The high-quality (PI 142.2) Davis Junction Farm is annexed to Davis Junction, Illinois and is adjacent to the upscale Ogle Crossings subdivision. The 101.80± tax acres are in the NE¼ of Section 27, Scott Township, T.42N.-R.1E., Ogle County, Illinois There are no buildings and the farm lease is open for 2025.

The Davis Junction Farm is ½ mile south of IL Rt. 72, 4.5 miles southeast of the I-39/IL Route 72 Monroe Center interchange, 8.0 miles south of the Chicago Rockford International Airport, 12.7 miles northwest of Rochelle, 13.6 miles south of Rockford, 15.0 miles southeast of Belvidere, 88.8 miles northwest of Chicago, 101.0 miles northeast of Moline, 118.0 miles north of Bloomington, 186.0 miles northeast of Springfield. GPS 42.088863, -89.095577

From Monroe Center, Illinois, travel west on IL Rt 72 for 4.9 miles, turning south onto Junction Road for 0.9 mile. From Rochelle, Illinois, travel north on IL Rt 251 for 10.9 miles, turning west onto Big Mound Road for 1.0 mile, then north on Junction Road for 0.8 mile. The property is adjacent, on the north, to the Ogle Crossings subdivision.

~

Ray L. Brownfield, ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

630.258.4800 | ray@landprollc.us

The Creston Mulford Farm has good drainage with highly productive Class A soils (PI 136.6) and is adjacent to the Rochelle, Illinois city limits and near the I-39/I-88 interchange. The Cenex Harvest States Co-Op Ethanol biofuel facility is located south of the farm.

The farm is 2.0 miles southeast of the I-39/Lincoln Highway (Rochelle) interchange, 28.8 miles southeast of Rockford, 80.5 miles west of Chicago, 91.6 miles northeast of Moline, 104.0 miles northwest of Bloomington, and 172.0 miles northeast of Springfield. GPS 41.920139, -89.000314

From Rochelle, Illinois, travel east on Creston Road for 3.6 miles. From DeKalb, Illinois, travel west on Route 38 for 13.0 miles, then south on Mulford Road for 1.0 mile. The property is located at the southwest corner of Creston Road and Mulford Road.

~

Ray L. Brownfield, ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

630.258.4800 | ray@landprollc.us

The Smith Road Farm is a 164.7592± surveyed acre (164.38± FSA tillable acres-estimated) farm in Sections 7 & 18, Little Rock Township, Kendall County, Illinois. This highly productive farm contains Class A soils with a PI of 141.6. There are no buildings, and the farm lease is open for 2025.

With its great location, just ½ mile west of the Smith Road and Tyler Road intersection in Plano, Illinois, the Smith Road Farm is 4.7 miles northwest of Plano, 56.2 miles southwest of Chicago, 64.8 miles southeast of Rockford, 108.0 miles northeast of Bloomington, 115.0 miles northeast of Moline, 177.0 miles northeast of Springfield.

~

Ray L. Brownfield, ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

The Fanning Property offers extreme seclusion and privacy, making it very attractive to wildlife including deer and turkey, as well as hunters who desire to possess their own private acreage.

The 40± acres is primarily timber with some open grassy areas and small areas of standing water. The Fanning Property is bordered by a wooded pasture on the west, a farm field on the north, a railroad right-of-way on the east (over ¼ mile from Co Rd 2820 E), and pasture on the south. The 4-5 acres of tall grassland next to Sugar Creek is just right for deer to bed down. 

Access will be by a lane from Co Rd 1050 N, running along the west side of the railroad right-of-way. The Fanning Property is an ideal spot for deer and other game. 

This premium hunting land is in a very rural area in southeastern Iroquois County, Illinois near the Illinois-Indiana border, close to the village of Stockland, and five miles east of Milford. 



The Fanning Property is conveniently located less than an hour drive from Kankakee, Danville, Watseka, or Lafayette, Indiana, just over one hour from Champaign, and less than a two-hour drive from Chicago.

Contact Pat Tomlinson to arrange for a private showing of the property.

~

Pat Tomlinson

Designated Seller's Agent

Licensed IL, IN Real Estate Broker

Deer Creek Estates is a good-quality 47-acre Will County property that is located just west of US Hwy 53 and south of River Road in Wilmington, Illinois, adjacent to United States Cold Storage. The farm is annexed into the city of Wilmington and is preliminary platted for residential homes and residential townhouses. Sewer and water are on site.

The property is situated near distribution and transportation hubs only 5 miles from the CenterPoint Intermodal facility, 3 miles east of Interstate 55, and 17 miles west of Interstate 57.

Deer Creek Estates is ready to be developed with the ability to attract an array of buyers with both single and multi-family options. 



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Jason J. Lestina ALC AFM

Designated Seller's Agent

Licensed IL Real Estate Managing Broker

Licensed IN Real Estate Managing Broker

Accredited Land Consultant

Accredited Farm Manager

Hudson Lakes is platted for a subdivision and is annexed to Yorkville, Illinois. The property is in Section 10 of Kendall Township and contains 141.29± surveyed acres (139.93± tillable acres). The soils have a PI of 124.0 and are comprised mostly of Saybrook, Larose, and Elpaso. The 2023 real estate taxes were $5,973.50 ($42.27/ac), zoning is A-1 (agriculture), there are no buildings, and access is from Penman Road.

The Hudson Lakes property is located 12.6 miles West of Plainfield, 48.5 miles Southwest of Chicago, 77.9 miles Southeast of Rockford, 96.2 miles Northeast of Bloomington, 125.0 miles Northeast of Moline, 163.0 miles Northeast of Springfield. 41.615703, -88.417353

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Dave Oster

Designated Seller's Agent

Licensed IL Real Estate Managing Broker

Ashley Point is situated in Southeastern Yorkville, Illinois with frontage along Ashley Road. Yorkville Middle School, Yorkville Christian High School, and the Raintree Village Subdivision are neighbors to the North and Northwest, creating future development potential for this property. The 70.00± acre Ashley Point Ashley Point property has high Class B/Low Class A soils, with a Productivity Index of 132.6. The 2023 taxes are $3,395.94 ($48.51/acre), and there are no buildings.

Ashley Point is located 30.0 miles Northeast of Rockford, 48.2 miles Southwest of Chicago, 76.3 miles Southwest of Rockford, 94.6 miles Northeast of Bloomington, 123.0 miles East of Moline. GPS 41.61063, -88.40752

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Dave Oster

Designated Seller's Agent

Licensed IL Real Estate Managing Broker

LaSalle County, IL | Manlius Township | 123.60 acres | PI 118.0

Professional Land Specialists

Ray L. Brownfield, ALC AFM | Designated Managing Broker

Land Pro LLC | 2681 US Hwy 34 | Oswego IL 60543 | 331.999.3490