Young farmers pursuing land ownership need a long-term strategy and, above all, patience, according to an agricultural real estate expert.

Paul Schadegg, an ag real estate professional with Farmers National Company, a company that provides farmland real estate services, says timing is one of the biggest factors young and beginning farmers must account for when buying farmland.

"A typical land transfer after the day of the auction, 30 to 45 days later we'll probably be able to close that," he said. "But some of those programs out there for young and beginning farmers, sometimes there's a longer window that they have to consider."

He tells Brownfield that success often comes down to preparation and communication between the buyer and seller.

"A lot of it is making sure the (young) buyer is prepared and has all their ducks in a row, and then communicating back to the seller to be patient, this will take a little bit longer, but we can get it done," Schadegg said.

He says having realistic expectations can go a long way toward helping young producers achieve their land ownership goals.

Access to affordable farmland is widely recognized as one of the chief barriers facing beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States. USDA data has shown the average U.S. farmer is closing in on 60 years old, and the department has long supported newer producers through tools such as Farm Service Agency farm ownership loans, which offer targeted financing terms, including lower down payment requirements, for beginning farmers. These programs aimed at helping new producers enter land ownership often involve additional steps that can extend the timeline compared with a conventional sale, which is why open communication with sellers, as Schadegg describes, becomes a practical necessity rather than a courtesy.

The article, filed under Ag Land, Ag Land Values, Farmland, Human Interest, and Young Farmers & Ranchers, was reported by Brent Barnett and published by Brownfield Ag News on August 28, 2026.