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INSIDE THE GUIDE Ag real estate, by the numbers ........ 2 Rural developments ........................... 4 Broadband grants ...............................6 Nebraska property tax ..................... 10 Colorado land prices ......................... 18 Organic industry growth ..................26 Jessup Farm Artisan Village ............32 Orr Land Company ............................ 37 CLASSIFIED ADS: 877-347-9122 Fax: 877-347-9127 classifieds@thefencepost.com SUBSCRIPTION: 1-800-275-5646 Fence Post Company Office at 501 8th Avenue, Greeley, Colo. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1690, Greeley, Colo., 80632. Telephone: (970) 686-5691. FAX: (970) 352-7164. Advertising Deadline: 5 p.m. Wednesday. Published every Monday. The Fence Post (USPS No. 547650; ISSN# 0274-7308) is published weekly for $55 per year by Fence Post Co., at the offices of the Fence Post, P.O. Box 1690, Greeley, Colo., 80632. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Fence Post, P.O. Box 1690, Greeley, Colo., 80632. Periodicals postage paid at Greeley, CO., and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions outside the continental U.S. $81/year. ŠCopyright Fence Post Co., 1990. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. We advise anyone who submits material to the Fence Post that doing so constitutes a consent for the Fence Post to publish the material as it chooses, including but not limited to all print, electronic, and archival versions, without any further compensation to the author.
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Ag real estate snapshot
Colorado On landandfarm.com, there are currently 193 Colorado pasture and ranch properties for sale. Most expensive: Wetmore • $110,000,000 • 27,000 acres Least expensive: Costilla County • $999 • 1 acre
Wyoming Most expensive: Torrington • $24,440,000 •25,724 acres Least expensive: Laramie • $69,000 • 45 acres
On landandfarm. com, there are currently 68 Wyoming pasture and ranch properties for sale.
Nebraska On landandfarm.com, there are currently 38 Nebraska pasture and ranch properties for sale. Most expensive: Hamlet • $8,100,000 • 3,920 acres Least expensive: Kimball • $175,000 • 302.74 acres
Kansas On landandfarm.com, there are currently 130 Kansas pasture and ranch properties for sale. Most expensive: Moscow • $10,750,000 • 2,752 acres Least expensive: Viola • $42,500 • 9.79 acres
By the numbers In Jan. 2016, the REALTORS Land Institute released their latest study of land businesses, which looked at the trends in land sales from Oct. 2014-Sept. 2015. During this time period, ag land prices were up by one percent compared to their levels a year before. The majority of the businesses surveyed dealt in ag realty, at 64 percent. OTHER KEY POINTS FROM THE SURVEY: • Irrigated agricultural land typically had the largest
acreage of any land sold at a median of 187 acres. Ranch land had a median of 160 acres and non-irrigated ag land had a median of 120 acres. • Agricultural lands also sold the quickest in the U.S. land market, with irrigated land typically only on the market for about 45 days and non-irrigated land for about 60 days. • Irrigated land sales accounted for about 16 percent of U.S. land sales, and about half of the irrigated land sales were in Region 5,
which is made up of some of the country’s most droughtprone states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Hawaii. • The most common buyers across the board for land sales were individuals and families. • These conditions are expected to stay more or less consistent through September 2016, survey respondents said in the Land Institute Survey. -Nikki Work
USDA helped with home funding across U.S. in 2015
A
griculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a report in January detailing the results across rural America that stemmed from investments by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development team in local businesses, community infrastructure, housing and more in 2015.
"Through our Rural Development agencies alone, USDA was able to support more than 170,000 projects last year, spurring job creation and improving the quality of life for millions of rural Americans,” Vilsack said. “These investments have helped people secure affordable housing and become first-time homeowners, connected America's remote towns with medical providers and business customers via telecommunications, improved critical water and other community facilities, lowered utility costs for residents and businesses through energy efficiency, bolstered local and regional food systems and created and expanded small businesses.” USDA Rural Development's 2015 Progress Report provided an overview of activities in 2015 that resulted in nearly $30 billion in investments in rural America. The report included success
stories from every state showing how the USDA helped finance infrastructure improvements and boosted economic development in rural areas. These initiatives and the emphasis on Community Economic Development are the cornerstones of USDA's efforts to combat rural poverty and deliver assistance to rural places most in need of the capacity and funding to jump-start or sustain economic development. Through Rural Development, USDA helped nearly 150,000 families buy, refinance or repair their homes last year. Eleven thousand people lived in affordable apartments as a result of USDA programs to build or provide subsidies for rental housing. USDA Rural Development programs also provide for a wide range of community needs. More than 21 million rural residents benefited from USDA support for essential community facilities in 2015. The agency invested $1.8 billion in services such as schools, hospitals, day care centers, firstresponder vehicles and equipment and other needs. USDA provided a $16 million Community Facilities loan to help build a surgical center and health clinic in Wickenburg, Ariz. Construction started in 2015. When the 10,700-square-foot center is finished, it will include two operating rooms, a suite for gastrointestinal procedures, equipment to expand diagnostic capabilities and space to accommodate additional staff and specialists. The project is expected to create nearly 30 much-needed, health care-related jobs in this small community of about 6,300 people. In 2013, USDA committed to investing up to $50 million in Community Facilities funds by the end of 2016 to develop or improve
mental health facilities and services in rural areas. By November 2015, USDA had more than quadrupled that goal in just two years, funding more than $213 million in 80 projects in 34 states. USDA Rural Development helped more than 12,500 rural businesses through $1.5 billion in loans, loan guarantees and grants last year. The report also sums up Rural Development investments since 2009. Under President Barack Obama, USDA Rural Development has invested $11 billion in more than 103,000 rural businesses to start or expand their operations; helped more than 1 million rural residents buy homes; funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; financed 180,000 miles of new and improved electric transmission and distribution lines; supported 254 broadband projects completed with funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents, 17,500 businesses and 1,900 community facilities; and partnered in many other efforts to improve the economic conditions and quality of life for rural Americans. Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. These investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. — Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Community Connect program seeks applicants for broadband grants
A
COURTESY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
cannot be renewed. However, existing Community Connect awardees may submit applications for new projects. For more information on how to apply for grants, see page 22567 of the April 18, 2016 Federal Register. Community Connect is agencies. The sheriff’s office and This Community Connect round administered by USDA’s Rural Utilities volunteer fire department coordinate builds on USDA’s historic investments Service and helps fund broadband their public safety, fire protection and in rural America over the past seven deployment into rural communities other emergency services from the years. Since 2009, USDA has worked where it is not economically viable for center. During harvest season, many to strengthen and support rural private sector providers to communities and American provide service. agriculture, an industry “Through Community that supports one in 11 Through Community Connect and our other American jobs, provides telecommunications programs, American consumers with Connect and our other USDA helps to ensure that more than 80 percent of the telecommunications programs, rural residents have access to food we consume, ensures USDA helps to ensure that rural broadband to run businesses, that Americans spend less of get the most from their residents have access to broadband their paychecks at the grocery education and benefit from store than most people in to run businesses, get the most the infinite services that fast, other countries, and supports from their education and benefit reliable broadband provides,” markets for homegrown from the infinite services that fast, Vilsack said. renewable energy and USDA plans to award up to materials. reliable broadband provides. $11.7 million in grants through USDA has provided $5.6 the Community Connect grant billion of disaster relief Tom Vilsack program. The grants fund to farmers and ranchers, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture broadband infrastructure to expanded risk management help foster economic growth by tools with products like delivering connectivity to the to Whole Farm Revenue global marketplace. The grants also fund farmworkers use the computers to Protection, helped farm businesses broadband for community centers and communicate with their family members grow with $36 billion in farm public institutions. far away. Cooperton is a farming and credit, provided $4.32 billion USDA invested $160 million to more ranching community between the in critical agricultural research, than 240 projects to bring broadband Slick Hills and Wichita Mountains in established innovative public-private to unserved rural communities since southwest Oklahoma. conservation partnerships such as the the Community Connect Program was The minimum grant is $100,000 for Regional Conservation Partnership created in 2002. fiscal year 2016. The maximum award Program, developed new markets for In 2009, the Wichita Online is $3 million. USDA announced rural-made products, including more telecommunications company in new rules in 2013 to better target than 2,500 biobased products through Cooperton, Okla., received a Community Community Connect grants to areas USDA’s BioPreferred program and Connect grant to build a community with most meed. To view the rules, go invested $64 billion in infrastructure, center with computers. The center serves to www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016housing and community facilities to as an internet library for local residents 04-18/pdf/2016-08931.pdf help improve quality of life in rural and is used by several government Prior Community Connect grants America. ❖
griculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced April 18 that the USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect program.
“
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Loans, grants available Rural Business Cooperative-Service Administrator Sam Rikkers announced in March that USDA is seeking applications for loans and grants to help support the start-up or expansion of rural businesses. “Our small, rural businesses need financing to compete in the global economy,” Rikkers said. The funding is provided through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program. Under this program, USDA provides zero-interest loans and grants to local utilities, which use the funding to create revolving funds for projects that will create or retain jobs in rural areas. USDA is making $37 million in loans and $11 million in grants available. A recipient may receive a loan of up to $1 million, or a grant of up to $300,000. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $330 million in loans and grants through the program. The program has been successful in StrikeForce counties. The StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to address persistent poverty across America. As areas of persistent poverty are identified, USDA staff work with state, local and community officials to increase awareness of USDA programs and help build program participation through intensive community outreach and technical assistance. In 2015, the South Mississippi Electric Power Association used part of a $2 million REDLG loan tohelp the city of Greenwood buy and renovate a building for the Milwaukee Tools company. Once completed, this project is expected to create more than 100 jobs in Lenore County, a designated StrikeForce area. For information on how to apply for REDLG loans or grants, contact your Rural Development state office or see page 14415 of the March 17 Federal Register. The first round of applications was due March 31, but the second round of applications is due June 30, 2016. —Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
1418 Road 148 Burns, WY
$1,150,000
This close in ranch property features an updated ranch style home, 3 bed, 2 bath and open spaces great for entertaining. There are multiple buildings that serve as shops, garages, tack rooms & stables. The outbuildings also include green house & shooting range! 640 acres of pasture that’s been planted into native grass & cross fenced. Feed bunks & pens for back grounding calves.
105 Road 161 Pine Bluffs, WY
$1,225,000
Totally custom-built Limestone ranch-style, 2,180 sq. ft. home on 640 acres. Built in 2006 with outstanding fireplace greeting you as you walk in the living room. Dining room with large window facing the bluff which is breathtaking. The attached 2-car garage is finished and heated. Fiber optic cable to the home for telephone and 100Mbit internet service. General steel 40x70 outbuilding.
Jerry Burnett & Kevin Whalen 307-631-9900
jerry@burnettfarmandranch.com
307-631-8241
kwhalen@propertyex.com
Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
2016 SPECIALS!! CALL FARM & RANCH SPECIALISTS FOR 2015 NOW SELLING BUILDING KITS, CALL FOR PRICING & SHIPPING.
We Build ~ Horse Barns • Shops • Garages You Build ~ Designed & Engineered Post Frame/Steel Covered Buildings Exceeds county building requirements We provide the building permit Mike Atencio (303) 775-5676 FARM AND RANCH SPECIALISTS, INC. 5412 Fox Run Blvd., Frederick, CO. 80504 Financing Available
160 Acres of pasture & dry land farm ground, the home has vaulted ceilings, walk-in pantry, attached garage, master suite w/walk-in closet & bathroom, a walkout basement & deck, surrounded by thousands of established trees. A perfect place for bird hunting. Outbuildings consist of: Shop/Barn 32x24 w/loft, Lean-to 48x14, Lean-to 36x12, Lean-to 12x12, Chicken Coop 20x10. 44625 Rd NN, Otis, Co Asking - $395,000
160 Acres, 5 miles south of Buckingham. Fenced on all 4 sides with 3 & 4-wire barbed wire fences. No water or wells; no pasture lease currently in place; minerals reserved by Seller. Rd 115 & 76, New Raymer, Co Asking - $132,800
325 W Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, Co 80701 www.mcfeeders.com
Contact Don, Monty or Kristin to get more information about these amazing rural properties! 970-867-7816
Flood irrigated farm ground. Includes water rights in Ft. Morgan Ditch system and 50% interest in a permitted irrigation well. Farm planted to corn in 2015; no crop will be planted this fall. The concrete lateral ditch runs through the property; great producing farm. 2015 fall corn stalk shredding, disking & plowing tillage work has been completed, & fall fertilizer has been applied. Hwy 34, Fort Morgan, Co Asking - $575,000
Tucked away on a dead end road you will Þnd this beautiful home with several features that encourage more of an independent, energy efÞcient life style. Detached garage, two water heaters (1 gas 1 electric), private security system, & a 8x20 "safe room". Aside from all that, the home features oak doors, trim and cabinets. Large wood shutter style blinds, Þreplace, master bedroom suite w/walk-in closet and a walkout basement. 3463 Road 23.5, Merino, Co Asking - $280,000
489 acres of irrigated farm ground: 406 acres under 4 pivots & 83 acres of ßood irrigated ground. Includes 4 permitted irrigation wells, aug. pond & 4 Reinke sprinklers, together with all sprinkler motors, pumps & ancillary equipment. Two 8 tower sprinklers make complete circles, a 10 tower sprinkler makes a half circle & another 8 tower sprinkler makes a half circle. There is an intricate system of underground pipelines from the wells, ditches & aug pond to the sprinklers. Rd W.7 Snyder, Co Asking - $3,200,000
320 Acres, pasture ground; three sides of the property are fenced with 4-wire barbed wire; the east side is not fenced. No water or wells; no current pasture lease in effect. Minerals reserved. Road 8 & GG, Weldon, Co Asking - $248,800
FARM & RANCH LISTINGS
r... Water...
arch Buy it. Buy Sell it. Rent it. it. Research it.
it.
Sell
Sioux County Ranch
i
Don’t miss this amazing Ranch on 6,441 acres m/l. Approximately 17 miles North of Henry, Nebraska. 128 acres Lockwood pivot fed with 3 wells and co WaterColorado.com m W a e r planted in Alfalfa, 458 acres retired t thru NPNRD, and 80 acres CRP. The 4227 Call us at 970-493-4227 Call a Ranch has quality Mule Deer andus Antelope hunting as well as over two miles .com Email: info@watercolorado.com Email: in of Sheep Creek along the West side that spreads out into hay meadows. This ranch includes two 60x48 Morton buildings, a hunting cabin and two single wide mobile homes. This beautiful ranch is ready for a new owner.
LITTLE BIJOU RANCH KIOWA, COLORADO
LITTLE BIJOU RANCH 29399 CR 93 KIOWA COLORADO 80117
Tranquil 309+ acre, fully fenced ranch. Stunning 5260sqft, 5TRANQUIL bed, 4 bath, custom 309+ ACRE FULLY FENCED RANCH 5260SQFT log home. Two 165 STUNNING year old square log5 BED 4 BATH CUSTOM LOG HOME TWO 165 YEAR OLD SQUARE LOG BARNS barns. Two water wells with ajudicated TWO WATER WELLS WITH AJUDICATED DEEP WATER RIGHTS STUNNING ONE OF A KIND PROPERTY deep water rights. ABSOLUTELY Abundant wildlife. CALL FOR DETAILS Absolutely stunning of a kind JONone COYLE 720-635-0441 property. 20.48 acres, 4 irrigated pastures, insulated barn with 3-5 stalls and heated JCOYLE@HSREALTYGROUP.COM
Awesome Country Property
office/tack room, auto waterers, light timers, riding arena, insulated chicken coop, 1 stall garage, well house with storm shelter AND a unique, spacious home. Lots of character, original sod-die with some updates and farm house added in 2015 with new electric, plumbing, septic, soap stone wood burner, radiant heat, tankless water heaters, flooring, kitchen cabinets & more! A MUST SEE!
CALL FOR DETAILS
Jon Coyle - 720-635-0441 jcoyle@hsrealtygroup.com
Great Horse Property
Price $239,900
Weldona, Colorado 3 bedroom, 1 Bath, 1352 sq foot metal shop 12 Acres M/L, Quality Water
Cash or Conventional Financing
Sugar Factory Road: 160 acres on a paved road 9 miles from the hospital. Includes 92 acres of crop land watered by 100 shares of Pathfinder Irrigation District, 60 acres of dry pasture and 8 acres of house site. 18+ acres were planted to grass in 2015. New owners could pasture, cut hay or crop lease this field for additional income. The stream that flows through the property is known as Hiershe Drain. Teh stream has not gone dry or frozen during the past 19 years. The 500 gallon propane tank is included along with all kitchen appliances. Lyman: Approximately 155 acres crop land. Excellent location. Total acres on farm is 171 m/l. Gering Ft. Laramie water district. Nearly all Mitchell silt loam with 0-3% slope. All valley crops. There is a 30x60 machine shop. Also 3 bedroom older home, seller has never been in home. Scotts Bluff County:
Price $164,900
Wiggins, Colorado
1974 Manufactured home, 4500 sq foot metal building Quality Water 3.71 Acres M/L
Price $114,900
Wiggins, Colorado
1997 Single Wide Trailer, 3000 Sq Foot Metal Shop Quality Water, 2.5 Acres M/L Mariel guzMan Broker Se haBla eSpanol
Morgan County realty
702 Main St. Fort Morgan, Co 80701 • 970-867-4908
reed Covelli Broker/owner
South West of Morrill - 224.88 acres; East of Lake Minatare - 80 acres; North of Scottsbluff - 329.19 acres with a well; East of airport - 94.95 acres with a pivot & well; North of Scottsbluff - 220 acres; Close to Scottsbluff, good crop producing farms, some with wells and pivots
615 South Beltine Hwy W, Scottsbluff NE 69361 308-633-4663 Dale Nerud (308) 631-5052 www.championrealtyllc.net
Legislators approve property tax cut
BY SAMANTHA FOX
T
here will be some property tax relief coming for agricultural landowners in Nebraska starting in 2017.
The Nebraska legislature approved a $20 million offset from the state’s general fund to ease the property tax burden on farm and ranch owners. The measure, LB 958, was proposed on behalf of Gov. Pete Ricketts by Sen. Mike Gloor, Grand Island. The bill originally called for a relief of $30 million, but the approved draft — presented to Ricketts April 13 for his authorization — was reduced by $10 million. “I think the important thing to note is in LB 958, we do have a bit of expense control in there,” Ricketts said to the Nebraska Radio Network earlier in April. “We are going to be addressing the minimum levy adjustment. I think that’s going to be helpful, especially for our rural schools to make them more eligible for school aid going forward, which will help out with property taxes.” But not everyone thinks that will be enough. John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said there is more relief needed, especially with the crutch the state has, not just on property tax, but on the farmers and ranchers of the state.
“If you’re an urban senator, you look at (the $20 million) and say it’s too much,” Hansen said. “The rural community looks at that and sees that it’s not a good start.” Hansen said the farmers union was part of three years worth of research on the best way to address the education budget, specifically through property taxes, and ways to decrease the individual burden of landowners. With LB 958, property owners will be paying $120 in taxes for every $100,000 of estimated worth of land. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2015 land values summary, an acre of Nebraska cropland was worth $2,140 last year. In 2012, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture, the average farm size was 907 acres. That means the estimated market value of a farm would be about $1,940,980, leading to a property tax of about $2,329.18 under LB 959. A study conducted by the Platte Institute for Economic Research looked at the trends and use of property taxes in Nebraska and
CONTINUE
found that revenues for public schools was about $1.5 billion in 2012-13. Hansen said only 40 percent of the public schools, including community colleges, use income or sales taxes — which means 60 percent of schools rely on property taxes. And where are those schools? Rural areas, Hansen said. While the legislature voted to decrease the property tax burden on rural land owners, it also passed LB 959, which takes away the minimum mill levy adjustment. That means rural schools can receive more aid from the state, rather than relying on property tax alone. Depending on the year, the reliance on income and sales taxes is one of the lowest in the country. “We are 47th-49th in the nation in income and sales to pay for education,” Hansen said. With LB 959, schools not getting state funds will have a pot of $8.5 million in aid to help offset the reliance on property taxes. “So, we are making progress on property tax relief,” Ricketts told the Nebraska Radio Network. “This is all good news for the taxpayers of Nebraska.” ❖
By the numbers: Nebraska tax information General revenue for state and local government in Nebraska Shortfalls for schools, other localities If the assessment cap in LB 958 was in effect this year (FY16), it would have created a $212 million shortfall for schools and other localities, including: $144 million shortfall for K-12 schools; $42 million shortfall for counties; $15 million for community colleges; and $11 million in losses for other local entities.
Source: Platte Institute for Economic Research Based on 2010 census
Source: Open Sky Policy Institute
Source: Platte Institute for Economic Research Based on 2010 census
14 The Fence Post • Monday, April 25, 2016
www.thefencepost.com
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Funds available for businesses in rural U.S. There is $5.8 million in competitive funds available to help start, improve or expand cooperative businesses in rural areas through the U.S. Department of Agriculture The Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program provides funding to non-profit cooperative develop centers and institutions of higher learning. Grants may be awarded for up to $200,000 and matching funds are required equal to
25 percent of the total project cost. For information on how to apply for the grants, contact your Rural Development state office or see page 16127 of the March 25 Federal Register. The first round of applications is due June 20, 2016. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested $11 billion in more than 103,000 rural businesses to start or expand their operations; helped
more than 1 million rural residents buy homes; funded nearly 7,000 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities; financed 180,000 miles of new and improved electric transmission and distribution lines and helped bring highspeed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses. —Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture
NEW!!! KEYSTONE VALLEY RANCH—Keith County, NE…...………………….…………….$3,499,000 3,137+/- acres with live water from Skunk Creek, sub-irrigated hay meadow, sandhill range and modest building site with very good access east of Keystone, NE
NEW!!! WEST FRONT STREET DEVELOPMENT—North Platte, NE……..………….……….$3,140,000 147+/- acres of irrigated cropland with future residential development opportunities. Offered in 3 or more parcels.
LOGAN COUNTY RANGELAND—Stapleton, NE…….……………………………..……...…….$2,695,000 2,396+/- acres of sandhill range, pipeline water, mature tree claims, Highway 83 frontage
HAYES COUNTY RANCH—Hayes Center, NE….…………………………...………………….....$2,399,000 1,705+/- acre combination ranch in western Hayes County includes home site, hardland pasture and very good cropland
HEIDER ISLAND HUNTING RESORT—Hershey, NE………..…………….………………..…...$1,600,000 548 acres+/- island bounded by 4.6 miles of 2 channels of the North Platte River, 2 homes, whitetail, turkey, Geese and duck hunting.
HEIDER ISLAND “EAST” - Hershey, NE……….…………………….………….………...…………$649,000 214 aces+/- with home, garage, barn, 4 acre pond, heavy treed wildlife habitat and just under 2 miles of North Platte River frontage
HEIDER ISLAND “WEST” - Hershey, NE...……………………...……………….…………….…….$999,000 334+/- acres with home, alfalfa/grass field, tree covered habitat, just over 2 miles of North Platte River
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Nebraska Land Brokers, LLC North Platte, NE Duane McClain, Broker / Owner / Auctioneer Call 308.530.0221 duane@nebraskalandbrokers.com
NEBRASKA
AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION
Commodity prices influence some Colorado land costs, others remain consistent BY BRIDGETT WEAVER
L
ow commodity prices are beginning to affect agriculture land prices in some Colorado regions, but not as much in Weld and Morgan Counties. Ryan Hostetler, managing broker at AGPROfessionals in Greeley, said the Weld County market is still very strong, probably due to limited supply. “The demand for agriculture land and water in Weld County has not diminished,” Hostetler said. “There’s a very limited supply of farms that come on the market in Weld County.” He said the last farm he sold was for about $12,000/acre, and it had good land and available water. “We typically see multiple offers on good quality irrigated farmland,” he said. Non-irrigated land is selling for about $5,000/ acre. “It’s still selling as well,” Hostetler said. “It doesn’t sell quite as quick as irrigated, but there’s a large demand for any land in Weld County.” Outside of Weld, things aren’t looking as good. “Farmland in other areas has dropped as much as 20 percent,” Hostetler said. “Further east, where the values of farmland are more
commodity driven, the prices have fallen off. They were on a steady incline for the last five years, but in the last year they began to see a decline.” Corn prices have been hovering between $3.50 and $4 per bushel in 2016, a recent market low. Most farmers say they can’t make money in anything less than a $4 market. John Stratman, associate broker at Mason Morse Farm & Ranch Company in Denver, said he’s seen the affect of low commodity prices in land sales. “These $3 corn prices and the cattle backing off and the oil and gas backing off has caused some of these properties to pull back in prices,” he said. There has been “probably 10-15 percent drop.” A lot of farmers who have land in oil-rich regions have supplemented their incomes by leasing land for oil and gas exploration and development, but with the recent downturn, some of that land is less profitable. Farmers are considering their options. The properties that can be sold for commercial and residential development aren’t dropping in price. “The properties that can be bought for development or bought for the water for a different use, those properties haven’t really been affected by the downturn in commodities,” Stratman said. Although a lot of farmers don’t prefer to CONTINUE
sell their ag land into development, Stratman said it’s generally about the money. If someone wants their ag land conserved, they will put an easement on the deed which requires it to remain agriculture land, he said. “It’s a personal preference, but most people are interested in the money,” he said. “I think everybody’s concerned about the loss of ag land, but if somebody’s selling a piece of property, they’re more concerned about the price they’re getting for it.” Some areas have more happening on the farmland front than others. The dairy industry is at least part of the reason the ag land prices in northeastern Colorado have held steady. Tom Haren, AGRPRO owner, said he deals mostly with dairy farmers looking to move into the area, and there are plenty. Leprino Foods, the international milk and cheese factory in east Greeley, announced at the beginning of the year it would move forward on its Phase 3 expansion. The operation requires the milk of about 80,000 dairy cows every day, all of which comes from within a 60-mile radius of the factory. “We’ve worked with a couple dozen of the dairy farmers relocating them from all over the United States,” Haren said. “(Dairy land) is in high demand, but it’s not just real estate.” Haren said finding land that works for a dairy operation is very technical.
“We’ve been going it for 20 years though, so we’ve got a good track record and a history of what makes good dairy sites.” He said they try to look for nonirrigated land for the cows, and then find a site with water for a production facility. Don Shawcroft, president of the Colorado Farm Bureau, said he has seen some people selling their farm and ranch land for “trophy ranches.” “It’s not bought for its economic productivity but for its aesthetic value, for scenery or hunting opportunities,” he said. “They may build a $1 million home there or a summer home and they go there to enjoy the surroundings.” Sales like these give Colorado farmers the chance to sell their land and move to a state that isn’t experiencing the same pressure that Colorado is. In a lot of areas, like Weld County, farmers are just straight up opting to not sell. “What we’re seeing in the better areas like Weld County is people just aren’t selling,” he said. “If they can’t get their prices, they just hold on to it.” Therefore, the low commodity prices have caused a pause in sales for some places. “In other areas, it’s caused downward pressure. In those areas that are more reliant on agriculture,” Stratman said. “If they have to sell today they have to take what the market offers.”❖
Falling commodity prices (U.S.)
Crop Price per sale unit 2013 2015 Total change Percent change Barley $6.06 $5.50 -$0.56 9.25 percent Corn for grain $4.46 $3.60 -$0.86 19.3 percent Wheat $6.87 $5.00 -$1.87 27.2 percent Sunflower $21.40 $18.90 -$2.50 11.7 percent Dry beans $39.10 $28.70-$10.4 26.6 percent Source: 2015 Crop Values Summary, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service
615 East Platte Ave. Fort Morgan, CO 80701
970.867.3250 pr-mllc@hotmail.com www.plainsrealtyllc.com
Meeting all your real estate needs. Residential. Commercial. Land. Farm & Ranch.
Donald Neb
Christal Ley
Broker 970.380.3250
Northwest Kansas!
This lovely and well cared for property located in the heart of Cheyenne Co, KS, offers the comforts, peace, & beauty of the High Plains. Approx 25 ac for headquarters or your peaceful get away. Enjoy hunting or simply enjoy the views for miles of area agriculture, potential of income on the property w/grain storage & cattle facility & room for work or hobby interests in your life. Call today! *Seller requests inquiries provide pre-approval from lender with regard to their ability to complete the transaction.*
Bird City, KS
www.westernauctionandrealestate.com Western Auction & Real Estate, LLC d/b/a in NE: Auction & Real Estate by Western 785.332.8990 office • 785.332.8421 Betty Cell 785.332.5586 Robin Cell • 785.332.8993 Fax P.O. Box 928 • 401 W. HWY 36, St. Francis, KS 67756
Broker Associate 970.768.2138
Gene Doty
Leandra Marymee
Broker Associate 970.380.5294
Broker Associate 970.380.4285
Betty L. Petersen, Broker
IF YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING YOUR PROPERTY SOLD FOR THE BEST RESULTS, CALL JENNY MCGRAW 11529 B CTY ROAD 78 • EATON, CO 80615
Sharon Wardell
Wake up to this every morning. 17 acre custom building site. Great mountain views. No HOA. Zoned AG, bring your horses, cattle and/ or goats. 2 miles from Severance, 15 minutes to Windsor, Greeley or Ft. Collins. County road access; county maintained. Flat, easy to build on. North Weld Water in county road; Water tap and Septic needed. $275,000
John Clatworthy
Broker Associate 970.768.0428
Broker Associate 970.768.7500
CALL A PLAINS REALTY BROKER TODAY!
1813 SEASHELL CT • WINDSOR, CO 80550
One of the last Lake Front lots in Water Valley South! Build your own custom home with your own beach access on this 1/2(m/l) acre estate lot. Enjoy great mountain views and close proximity to the the 27 hole golf course. Beachfront, half acre lot with southern exposure is perfect for anyone wanting to live the Water Valley lifestyle. Enjoy sailing fishing or kayaking. South of Windsor, Water Valley provides a paradise-like escape. Nicest water front lot left in Water Valley $290,000
www.plainsrealtyllc.com
LAND COMPANY
TBD S CTY RD 7 • FORT COLLINS, CO 80525
4 acres ready for Estate homes or subdividing. Great views, backs up to Observatory Village, unincorporated Larimer County. Currently zoned FA-1. Paved access. Survey, Water and Sewer taps to be paid by Buyer. Call agent for details. 3 bedroom home on 1 acre maybe added to purchase at a price of $500,000. Vies of foothills, mountains to the west and plains to the east. $600,000
(970) 351-8777 • 1813 61st Ave. #200, Greeley, CO 80634
Specializing in Farms, Ranches & Rural Properties.
Ft.
ton
Lup
ce Pier
5335 S CTY RD 7 • FORT COLLINS, CO 80528
Horse property close in 4.76 Ac m/l. This property is extremely rare and a prime opportunity for future development. Adjacent to city of Ft Collins (Observatory Village.) can be bought as assemblage with listing 779673 and 775914 for a totoal of 14 Ac m/l. Currently zoned FA-1 $1,100,000
• Home & shop on 64 +/- acres • Annexed/zoned I-1 to City of Brighton • Contiguous to Vestas Wind Energy site • Home would make great office space • $2,500,000 • MLS#:761587
ce Pier
• 27 acre +/- building site • Well & electricity on the property • Easy commute to Greeley & Ft. Collins • Excellent mountain views • $110,000 • MLS#:785114
624 TEN MILE CANYON • LIVERMORE, CO 80536
Where the antelope play and the air is clean. 40 acre building site where one can see forever; now capped mountains and plains. 30 minutes to Fort Collins, 45 minutes to Laramie, Wyo. Nearby Livermore; a small community with limited groceries, restaurant and bar and an award-winning elementary school. Year round access just off Highway 287. Power is adjacent to property, well and septic needed. Limited covenants for quality control. $85,000
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35514 COUNTY ROAD 59 • GILL, CO • 18 acre +/- building site • Large, secluded building site • No covenants • Adjacent 27 +/- acres also available • Beautiful Front Range views • $100,000 • MLS#:785097 Tammy Ellerman: 970-539-8778 Tomm Owens: 970-381-9909 Greg Smith: 970-443-5527
• New Construction by Martin Homes • Luxurious Patio Home in Poudre River Ranch • 3,060 sq. ft /4Bdr 3Ba • Full Walkout basement w/patio & deck • $434,900 • MLS#:780218 Trevor Thiel: 970-978-0800 Chad Wahlert: 970-380-3496 www.orrland.com
Country living for all on this 6 acre farm; 2800 s.f., 4 bedroom, 2 bath Craftsman style farmhousecomplete with formal dining room and built-ins. 42’x100’ loafing shed with concrete floor, runs and hay storage. Pipe fenced pens, heated waterers. Great views of neighboring lake, wildlife abounds. Zoned Ag for all your creatures. 10 minutes to Eaton. Call Jenny for your private showing. $480,000
Jenny McGraw,
Broker Associate Cell: 970-222-2358 • Direct: 970-999-8810 3665 JFK Parkway, Bldg. 2 Ste. 300, Fort Collins, CO 80525 jenny.mcgraw12@gmail.com
LAND FOR SALE
640 Acres – WHEATLAND, buyer gets planted wheat and Seller’s minerals, lays good with good soils, excellent proven yields. . Also includes an 1,100 sq ft , 2 bedroom house and buildings. Washington County, CO ...................................................................REDUCED PRICE 947 Acres – WHEATLAND, ½ planted to wheat along Hwy 36 and LL. SE of Anton, CO ........................................................................ $1,450/Acre 147 Acres – FARMLAND – Good soils, Excellent grain base. Lone Star, CO area.......................................................REDUCED PRICE 160 Acres – FARMLAND, immediate possession. Co Rd 17 & KK. NE of Anton...........................................................$240,000 REDUCED PRICE 320 Acres – FARMLAND, 1/3 of 2016 crop to buyer, SE of Anton, CO County Road LL and County Road 4. Excellent grain base .......$488,000 SEVERAL OTHER LISTINGS FOR SALE 142 Main Ave. P.O. Box 402 Akron, CO 80720
970-345-2203 www.goodmanrealtyco.com
Clapsaddle Farm
40 acres, 50 x 120’ multi-purpose barn with stalls/runs, indoor round pen, hay storage, a smaller six stall horse barn, outdoor round pen, a fully fenced 150 x 360’ outdoor arena, numerous paddocks with 14 shelters and adjustable corrals in Hudson, CO. $750,000. Contact Karen Mikkelson.
snowy range Fishing lodge
Located in Laramie, WY boasting 2.5 miles of trout fishery located on the Little Laramie and West Fork Rivers. Improvements include a homestead lodge, bunkhouse and log cabin. $4,500,000. Contact John Stratman.
gordon Creek ranCh
ACREAGE, FARM & RANCH PROPERTIES SOUTH GERING ACREAGE: Beautiful 3 bed 2 bath ranch style home, att. 2 car garage, nice covered deck, insulated garage/ shop; with 71.2 acres of quality level land with GFLwater right! $530,000.00. SCOTTS BLUFF/GOSHEN CO, WY PIVOT/CREEK: 327 Acres located north of Lyman Nebraska. Approx. 180 Acres under a 2009 Reinke pivot, 89 acre irrigated pasture with Horse Creek, Goshen/Gering Ft. Laramie water right, Horse Creek rights, and excellent well! $1,500,000.00. BANNER COUNTY, NE PIVOT ACREAGE: 80 acres with new grass mix under the pivot, very nice split log sided home, 1.5 story, with recent updates! Property has good wells, fenced, large shed/shop, detached garage/storage shed. $315,000.00 GERING VALLEY, NE PIVOT FARM: 2013 Reinke 6 tower pivot 114 acre Gering Irrigation water right, borders 4 lane Highway 71 just 1 mile south of Gering, development potential! NOW $600,000.00.
54+ acres in Livermore, CO includes a 4,200 square foot home, 44 x 66’ insulated shop, 48 x 36’ horse barn with four stalls, tack room and hay storage with corrals. $998,000. Contact Karen Mikkelson.
equestrian dream ranCh
98+/-acre ranch w/ 1-BD apartment, garage, shop, 6-stall barn with runs, multiple turnouts and a large arena, with 80+/- acres of grass-alfalfa hay land irrigated with side-roll sprinklers and FREE riparian stream-flow water rights adjoining Beulah, CO. $1,100,000. Contact John Stratman.
CHECK OUR WEBSITE OFTEN FOR ADDITIONAL AG LISTINGS!
Helberg and Nuss Auctions & Realty
1145 M Street, Gering, NE 69341
308.436.4056
www.helbergnussauction.com LICENSED IN NEBRASKA & WYOMING
KAREN MIKKELSON (303) 718-9774 JOHN STRATMAN (303) 912-8807
www.RanchLand.com
Fence Post Spring 2016 RE Guide.indd 1
4/15/2016 3:42:42 PM
USDA gives loans to help with development The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s awarded six lowinterest loans to local governments and community organizations that will spur rural economic development in five states. The recipients are: — Florida: Palm Beach County Department of Economic Sustainability, West Palm Beach. $1,000,000.
— Georgia: Small Business Access Partners, Inc., Gainesville. $1,000,000. — North Carolina: Natural Capital Investment Fund, Chapel Hill. $364,104. — Texas: East Texas Regional Development Corporation, Kilgore. $500,000. To provide low-interest loans for business and community development in rural, underserved
RANGELAND FOR SALE Lincoln County, NE Pasture Land
800 Acres Northeast of Akron CO.
Pasture land for sale with good grass cover, wells and crossed fencing put in already. It is located off a paved road. Great location. Directions: Take Hwy 83 south out of North Platte and go west on Hwy 23
RED
$1,325,000
926 Lake Ave. Gothenburg, NE 69138 • 308-537-7676 • www.Gothenburg-Realty.com
— Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture
WHEATLAND in C.R.P. until 2020
1127 Acres
$1,525,000 UCED
areas in Texas. This loan is expected to create 10 jobs. Lift Fund, Inc., San Antonio. $222,364. President Barak Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities.
Open to offers Lee O’Neil O’Neil & Company
PO Box 917 - Brush, CO 970-842-5016 • Fax: 970-842-3242 • Cell: 970-768-2123
Denney Stricker Ranch: This beautiful ranch has 2,496.92 AC located in the Goshen Hole area Southwest of Torrington, WY. Approximately 315 AC are under three Valley Pivot systems and the grassland is fenced into six pastures which are ideal for rotational grazing. In addition the improvements consist of a large metal barn, open faced barn with covered working facilities and a calving set up facilities. Sale Price $2,500,000.00 Walsh Family Trust: 1440 Acres (M/L) of native and introduced grassland located approximately 12 miles Northwest of Bushnell, NE. 1,036 AC have just been released from the CRP program. This part of the ranch has been in this program for the past 15 years. The remaining 400 AC (M/L) have been lightly grazed during this time. The improvements consist of 4 round 4,000-5,000 BU grain bins, and an older barn and a newer submersible stock well. An older windmill is located near the center of the property. Listed for sale at $880,000.00 Robertus Trust: 124 AC of flood irrigated Alfalfa ground. The property is located close to Torrington, Wyoming. The farm is easy to irrigate with risers and gated pipe is all included in the purchase price. 124.4 AC of GID water rights. Real Estate Taxes are $1,489.13. Listing Price is $405,000.00 Yeik Pivots: 160 Acres deeded, 89 AC under two Valley pivot systems. 72.05 AC of Cherry Creek water and 66 AC under GID. Real Estate Taxes $980.05. Excellent irrigated farm listing price is $340,000.00. Montz Acreage: The perfect property for the horse enthusiast just North of Henry, NE. There are 11.2 irrigated acres to raise hay, shop, barn, open face shed, corrals, and two wells, long with a 4 bedroom modular home. The 4 bedroom home has 1.75 bath and a 3 car attached garage. The acreage has an appealing mature tree row. Listing price is $280,000.00 Galecka Farm: 68 AC of deeded land with an excess of 81.83 AC of water right from the Horse Creek Conservation District. The property currently has 45 AC of corn and 5 AC of hay. Located near Hawk Spring, Wyoming, the farm has one stock well, a 5400 Sq. Ft. steel insulated building with two 14 x 15 electric garage doors. Priced to sell $270,000.00
Premier Properties 1942 East D Street • Torrington, Wyoming
www.wyo-realestate.com
307.532.4447 • Toll Free: 1.888.532.4447
“Everything We Touch Turns To Sold!”
The organic industry continues double-digit growth BY MILES MCEVOY, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM, USDA
E
arlier this month, my agency – the Agricultural Marketing Service – released data showing that there are now more than 21,000 certified organic operations in the United States and more than 31,000 around the world. These numbers represent an increase of almost 12 percent between 2014 and 2015, continuing the trend of rapid growth in the organic sector as consumer demand grows.
As in past years, the most organic businesses can be found in California and the upper Northwest, the upper Midwest and Northeast, Pennsylvania, New York and Texas. USDA
It’s not just the numbers themselves that are exciting, though. The announcement also marks the first time we released the data through the recently launched Organic Integrity
Database, a modernized system for tracking certified organic operations. In the past, AMS’s National Organic Program (NOP) published the number of certified organic operations
once a year, using data submitted annually by accredited organic certifying agencies. With the new database – funded by the 2014 Farm Bill – organic certifiers can add new
There are now more than 21,000 certified organic operations in the United States and more than 31,000 around the world. USDA
operations and report changes to existing operations at any time, allowing us to report updated counts of certified organic operations throughout the year. The Organic Integrity Database, called INTEGRITY, makes it easy for anyone to search for organic farms and businesses by name, certification status, state, country, products and other factors. By providing updated and accurate information about all certified operations, INTEGRITY will deter fraud, provide data for market research, enable stakeholders to identify market
For more
To access the database, see new reports or download the full dataset, go to http://apps.ams.usda. gov/integrity/.
opportunities and make supply chain connections, support the data needs of international trading partners and establish technology connections with certifiers to share more accurate and timely data. This project is a great example of
how technology investments and strong partnerships support organic integrity and market development. The system was built in less than 10 months with input and feedback from an engaged group of organic certifying agents and other stakeholders. Moving forward, we’ll continue to refine the database and develop additional modules informed by ongoing stakeholder involvement. With this collaborative and inclusive approach, we’ll continue to protect organic integrity and increase access to information about the organic market. �
South River Real Estate Mike Lowry, Broker/Owner • 970-209-4312 • 970-249-2662 Debra E. Kane, Associate Broker • Cell: 970-275-2791
WELL ORGANIZED HORSE FACILITY
For more information on any of these properties, visit our website at www.soriver.com
PRIVATE, SECLUDED PROPERTY WITH RIVER FRONTAGE
37.52 Acres * Montrose * Montrose County 29 irrigated acres; 2,128 sq. ft. 3-bedroom, 3-bath home; 2-car detached garage with workshop; rock patio with a concrete fire pit in the middle; 87 x 140 ft. indoor stall barn with wash rack and riding arena; 130 x 200 outdoor arena; 11 inside pens and 13 outside pens; 7 automatic waterers; 1-bedroom studio/bunkhouse; close to town as well as being connected to the city sewer system. MLS #667559 Price: $530,000.00
PRIME FARM LAND
15.52 Acres * Olathe * Montrose County 3,468 sq. ft. 3-bedroom, 3-bath home, gourmet kitchen, rock gas fireplace, hardwood and tile flooring, office and bonus room; 6x12 storage shed; 32x64 shop with 2-10’ doors and man door, concrete flooring, electricity and two storage rooms; white vinyl fencing outlines the yard and driveway; rock borders separating the gravel circular driveway and yard; immaculate condition; large deck with Pergola; back patio with fire pit; pond; wildlife traverses the property; exceptional views of pristine mountains; irrigation water; take a look at this little piece of heaven. M.L.S. #692057 Price: $695,000.00
IMMACULATE SPLIT-FLOOR PLAN HOME
34.82 Acres * Delta * Delta County This outstanding parcel of farm land features level topography with a concrete ditch along the east boundary and also includes some gated pipe. In addition, there are approximately 35 shares of Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association project water which run with the land. Another important factor is there are no covenants affecting the same. Therefore the possibilities are limitless. Come take a look for yourself to determine all it has to offer. M.L.S. #714591 Price: $260,000.00
7.89 Acres * Montrose * Montrose County Beautiful home; quiet rural location; 2,826 sq. ft.; 3 bedroom; 3 baths; large country kitchen; glass gas fireplace; lots of windows; great mountain views; French doors in master bedroom to patio; recirculating hot water system; rock patio plumbed for gas grill; 3-car garage with lots of storage and counter top with a sink; 30x26 heated shop with electricity, concrete floors, 220V power, lots of lighting, man door and 10 ft. door as well as another framed in if a second door is desired; approximately 7.8 shares of UVWUA and gated pipe included; exceptionally designed landscaping featuring water feature, mature trees; circular driveway; close proximity to Montrose County Airport; come take a look to see all it has to offer. M.L.S. #716807 Price: $598,000.00
18101 Woodgate Road, Montrose, CO 81403 email: mlowry@soriver.com
WINDOW & SIDING Outlet WINDOW & SIDING SAVINGS Fiberglass • Vinyl • Wood
Lifetime Warranties • Energy Star Rated • Lower Energy Bills CALL NOW FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!
970.663.7433 Visit Our Showroom
3167 East Eisenhower Blvd., Unit C | Loveland, CO 80537 www.windowsnsiding.com
Nebraska Properties For Sale
Sheridan County Grass & CRP
Lewellen Pivots & Range
Mitchell Indoor Arena
Rushville, Nebraska $895,000 • 842 acres
Lewellen, Nebraska $2,900,000 • 2,118 acres
Mitchell, Nebraska $395,000 • 8.85 acres
Sandhills Ranch
Farm & Ranch
Equestrian Facility
• Well cared for ranch • Good grass • 1,456 sq ft home
• Grass range • Irrigated farm ground • 2,112 sq ft home
• Large indoor arena • Well maintained stalls • 2,400 sq ft home
LashleyLand.com Scott Saults • 308-289-1383
CFPB reevaluates rural designations for lenders The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced last month an application process for requests that areas not currently deemed “rural” receive that designation under federal consumer financial law. Under this process, those now outside rural counties or census blocks can apply to be designated as rural and may be eligible for specific exemptions and provisions for certain mortgage lenders. The CFPB will accept applications starting March 31, 2016. “This step will allow the Bureau to consider whether there are smaller institutions that merit a designation as ‘rural’ lenders but do not qualify under current guidelines,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “The Bureau is taking quick action to fulfill our responsibility to Congress and implement the law.” In January 2013, the CFPB issued a rule that designated rural areas on a county-by-county basis using definitions developed by the Office of Management and Budget. In September 2015, the CFPB expanded the definition of “rural” to include census blocks the U.S. Census Bureau defines as being outside of urban areas. The application process announced today provides an avenue for additional areas to be considered rural. To request a rural designation by the CFPB, applicants need to identify the area and the state in which it is located. As set out in the application process, they must then provide information that will allow the CFPB to evaluate the application under the parameters of the Helping Expand Lending Practices in Rural Communities (HELP) Act, passed by Congress in December 2015. The application process will be open through Dec. 4, 2017. However, any application submitted after April 8, 2017, will be considered only if the bureau determines the designation decision process for that application can be completed by the sunset date of Dec. 4, 2017, based on the time remaining, the complexity of the application, and any other relevant factors. The HELP Act also amended the Truth in Lending Act and authorized the CFPB to expand eligibility among small rural creditors to originate balloonpayment qualified mortgages and for exemptions from the required escrow account for higher-priced mortgage loans. The CFPB will soon issue another notice concerning those amendments. -Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
“Where Ideas Become Reality”
970-245-1000
www.cover1000.com
Rural Properties and Acreages for Sale North Greeley Irrigated Farm
WCR 64 North of Greeley
38.5 + Acres
Located in the Weld County Agricultural zone. Abuts property on the south for railroad access. 820sf residence with garge. Water rights include: 1 Augmented Irrigation Well 4 Sh. Cache La Poudre Irrigating Co. 4 Sh. Highland Valley Ditch Co.
Offered for $780,000
For more information contact Wayne Howard, Broker 970-590-5982
Windsor Development Land Great Location! Great Views!
RESIDENCE: 2,600sf. 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Deck, Walk out basement, 3 Car Detached Garage. Lot size: 46.8, Acres Zoned in County Agricultural. On a Paved Street. MLS#: 781771
Offered for $1,500,000
For more information contact Wayne Howard, Broker 970-590-5982
Great Home Site with Views and Open Space CR 45 • South of Hudson
79 Acres
Property can be divided
Offered for $450,000 For more information contact Wayne Howard, Broker 970-590-5982
6200 W 10th St Greeley, CO 80634
970.353.0982 Commerical • Farm & Ranch • Residential • Rural Home & Acreage
102.5 acres
of this beautiful mountain valley for sale
www.coloradomountainpropertyforsale.com/gallery2/ contact: srkit@aol.com
Morton Buildings Exclusive FastTrack Financing • 10 year term • Zero Down • Low Monthly Payments • No Equity Required • No Mortgage Lien • 20 year term also available For details, call your local Morton office today. Fort Morgan, Colorado • 970-867-9454 Colorado Springs & Pueblo Colorado • 719-597-5115 Wyoming, Nebraska Panhandle, Scottsbluff, Nebraska • 308-635-2414
800-447-7436, ext. 1 mortonbuildings.com
Old farm keeps traditions BY MARTY METZGER
People quench their hunger and thirst at The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm. Photo by Marty Metzger
A
s Colorado development land becomes a hot commodity and farming overhead costs grow, ag properties become less likely to survive as-is when sold. Some multigenerational farm owners try to hang onto their family’s rural roots by devoting part of their land to farm museums, or through Community Sponsored Agriculture endeavors or special event-driven festivities. One Fort Collins farm more than 130 years old has tolerated the switch from a produce and livestock past to an encroaching suburban sprawl future. Its goal is to educate and serve its surrounding community. In the early 20th century, Fort Collins, Colo., was a smudge on the map, an agricultural college its singular claim to fame. Several miles east of its modest downtown, atop a bluff overlooking the Poudre River, sat a newly-built red brick farmhouse. Joseph and Mary Jessup just bought the property, where they built their two-story home from Joseph’s uncle. Soon, the Jessups added a barn and other outbuildings that served their family through the mid-1950s. In 1963, the farm changed ownership when a prominent landowning family, the Johnsons, added the
acreage to their nearby land at the juncture of Timberline and Drake roads. Subsequently known as Spring Creek Farms, the property continued on as agricultural until it was sold off bit by bit for development. As recently as the late 1990s, the previous Jessup portion quietly sat unused, except for two or three horses that contentedly grazed in a field adjacent to the farmhouse. Its underthe-radar status likely preserved it from bulldozers. Eventually, the horses moved on. But the brick building and the other structures were preserved in 2011 when Bellisimo, Inc. and Jessup Farm’s new owners, Gino, Michael, Tony, Dominick and Nico Campana, presented their vision for the property. Their goal was to “create an innovative, adaptive reuse plan to preserve, restore and rehabilitate the historic integrity of Joseph and Mary Jessup’s farmstead” by transforming it into Jessup Farm Artisan Village. The farm’s website sais the plan combined “elements of New Urbanist planning with
A large crowd gathers at Jessup Farm Artisan Village’s 2016 spring festival. Photo by Marty Metzger
concepts drawn from the farm-to-table and farmer’s market movements”. On the Jessup land that surrounds the island of structures, the Bucking Horse Farm neighborhood offers residential housing. Jessup Farm Artisan Village itself remains as welcoming as old-time farmhouses once were to neighbors and travelers. Anne Genson, director of community building and farm operations for Bucking Horse Farm and CSA, is proud of what has already been accomplished. Various elements of the farm each lend to its rural atmosphere, albeit surrounded by suburban growth. “The neat thing about this neighborhood is keeping farmland that was farmland,” Genson said. “It makes us unique. There are different levels of opportunity; for example, the CSA. CONTINUE
The restaurant’s outdoor patio area includes lighting, an arbor and rustic birdhouses. Photo by Marty Metzger
In the future, we will also have a city park and community gardens where residents can grow produce in their individuals plots.” The CSA farm occupies 3.6 acres destined to generate local, healthy produce and educate children about food sources. The adjacent working farm houses cows, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry. Bucking Horse Farm’s CSA functions as do other similar ones: members pay in advance for a share of produce and pick it up weekly at the farm. This assures consumers that what they consume is locally grown. In the case of this CSA, only organic methods are used. Sustainable growing practices omit any and all herbicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Growing seasons will see the most activity in and around the village, including summer camps. Junior Farmers Preschool Camps are scheduled JuneAugust for five days each with themes of Earth, water and air. More themed camps include Life on the Farm, Barnyard Buddies, How Does Your Garden Grow?, Nature Detectives, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Techniques and Food Science and Around the World and Delicious and Nutritious. Speaking of food, no visit would be complete without a meal served up at the Farmhouse at Jessup Village. This farm-tofork establishment housed in the original farmhouse uses as much food as possible that’s grown on-premises, like eggs from the adjacent coop. The former single-family brick home’s interior has been renovated into a two-story restaurant. Vignettes of tables are available for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, special events and private parties. The Farmhouse porch
and side patio draw fair-weather diners as well. More individually-owned businesses that preserve the historic integrity of Jessup Farm are housed in its renovated original outbuildings, as well as more in a strip of new structures on the south edge of the village. The Jessup Farm Barrel House occupies the original white barn. Its barrel and blending brewery uses wine, bourbon and more specialty barrel-aged beer to create an exciting variety of brews. For coffee aficionados, Bindle Coffee Company roasts a variety of beans and serves homemade pastries. Heyday offers patrons high-quality furnishings and casual, classic apparel. Kennedy’s Lucky 27 Barbershop and Social Club combines shaves, haircuts and chit-chat as found in early 1900s shops. There are also Clayton Jenkins Photography, The Loafing Shed, a bakery and eatery and REVE, a fitness program. On April 2, a half-day festival kicked off the 2016 growing season with demonstrations, live music from “The Painters,” a petting zoo, tractor-driven hayrides, a fairy garden, farm share sign-ups and vendor displays for the hundreds of visitors. The Jessup Farm Artisan Village strives to follow in the wagon tracks of early-day farmers whose methods served up healthy fare to consumers. Jessup Farm Artisan Village’s workers try to maintain agricultural integrity in northern Colorado. The red farmhouse that was once an afterthought on the outskirts of a small agricultural town is now on the forefront of an innovative movement to spare farmland from oblivion and to conserve wholesome farming traditions. ❖
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$600,000.00 171 total acres • 170 shares of H.C.C.D. water right. $25.00 per share • 100 acres under Zimmatic 6 tower pivot. New drops/regulators/nozzles in 2014 • 55 acres of gravity irrigated first year production alfalfa, complete with 8” PVC gated pipe and fittings. • 10 acre parcel, scheduled for new seeding in spring of 2016 • 165 total acres farmable • Currently planted in alfalfa, first full production year is 2016 • New pump pit with complete new pump and system including rotating screen in 2015.
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Colorado man finds balance between love of land, real estate BY NIKKI WORK
The staff of Orr Land Company, left to right: Tomm Owens, Chad Wahlert, Tammy Ellerman, Michelle Ross, Ed Orr, Greg Smith and Trevor Thiel. Courtesy of Orr Land Company
O
n the wall in Ed Orr’s office in west Greeley is a plaque showing the family’s cattle brands. His is pictured last, the latest in a line of Colorado ranchers dating back four generations.
When you ask him about his two set of cattle, he smiles. One groups runs on a ranch in Grand County and the other grazes just off the Poudre River between Greeley and Windsor, he
smiles. Orr isn’t being glib when he calls the balance between his ag real estate business and ranching the best of both worlds — he grew up with a love for Colorado land in his blood, and
now, he gets to help others find their own corner of the state to sow. Orr’s great-grandfather was a miner and a bar-owner in Silverton and Leadville in the 1860s. He and his wife told his kids stories about attending Colorado legend Baby Doe Tabor’s wedding. When greatgrandma wanted him to sell the bar, he did, and in 1883, the couple moved to Grand County. There, they homesteaded, CONTINUE
starting the ranch that’s still in the family today. Orr’s other great-grandpa was a huge name in Herefords and was instrumental in the breeding lines that made the animal what it is today. He ranched out in Kremmling. By the time Orr was born, both ranches were still part of the family. He grew up around agriculture, showing cattle and rodeoing. In the 1960s, his father started to delve into the ag real estate business, eventually moving the family to the Denver metro area, where Orr met his wife. As Orr got older, he knew he had a decision to make: stay in ranching, like he’d grown up in, or follow his father’s footsteps into real estate. “I knew at the time I loved ranching, but it’s such a tough business to be successful in,” he said. So, before he even graduated high school, he got his real estate license. He started college, but soon quit his studies and college rodeo to practice real estate, the business he knew he wanted to pursue.
After several years practicing with his father, he set up Orr Land Company in Greeley. When he sold land with his father, the majority of it was mountain properties. Sometimes, the duo would even sell land in neighboring states. Orr would spend days traveling to show land, he said. Now, the majority of the ag land Orr deals with is much closer to home, but even that has its challenges. In northeastern Colorado, there are more mineral rights, ditch companies and other intricacies Orr wasn’t as familiar with before setting up shop in Greeley. And then, there’s the topic of growth. In an area like Weld County, which was named one of the top-ten fastest growing areas by the U.S. census bureau in 2015, Orr Land Company sees a whole other slew of issues, like the balance between ag and municipal land, water use, traffic and more. “It’s grown so much in the time we’ve been involved in (Weld),” Orr said. “I think we have been through an era where we will never see as much growth as we have seen in the last 30 years.” CONTINUE
Courtesy: Orr Land Company
When Orr’s clients come to him or his five real estate agents with questions about water use, mineral rights, or any of the other unique challenges that come up in this area, they’re prepared to handle them. His agents have varied specialties, but a deep knowledge of ag and ag challenges. Some, like Tammy Ellerman, specialize in horse properties. She and her husband are rodeo aficionados. Others, like Greg Smith, grew up on farms in Weld County. And Orr himself owns land for both crops and livestock, as well as water rights in the area. He splits his time between his real estate business, ranching and his several racehorses, which are dispersed across the country. Having thoroughbreds running on the tracks in Kentucky and California is like competing in rodeos for him, he said — something he’s not very good at, but loves. Orr’s busy, but that’s how he likes it. “I think I’d probably get tired of ranching if that’s all I did,” he said with a chuckle. He glances around his office, the leather chairs and wood accents, little cowboy trinkets filling the spaces. “I think it’s a wonderful life.”❖
Stock photo
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Les Gelvin 970-214-6139 Greg Feit 970-218-5911 Justin Story 970-217-3163 Craig Carpenter 303-906-8199 5900+ ACRES GRASS PASTURE NORTH WELD COUNTY, BETWEEN KEOTA AND GROVER. 5800+/- deeded acres. Fenced, cross fenced, improvements include a 3 bedroom 2 bath modular home, outbuildings, nice working facilities, +/- 160 acres of use pasture, no oil and gas rights available, excellent county road access. Good stock water distribution with wells, pipelines, numerous tanks and seasonal pond. May be divided and or possible lease back on all or part. $512 per acre Les or Greg 970-221-2607 FABULOUS MOUNTAIN VIEWS, +/- 132 ACRES, NO COVENANTS, NO HOA; WELD COUNTY CO 4 miles east of Ault and Eaton, vacant land, Owl Creek running through it, currently in 4 contiguous legal parcels, borders Hwy 14, utilities available. $620,000,000. Les or Greg (970) 221-2607 BEAUTIFUL PRODUCTIVE RANCH - 1744 +/- ACRES 17 MILES SE OF WRAY, YUMA COUNTY, CO - 347+/- acres pivot irrigated - 60+/- acres dry farm - balance (approximately 1300 acres) grass pasture. Wildlife abounds. Corrals and modest buildings - Three irrigation wells tied to the oldest water right on Dry Willow Creek, tributary to the Arikaree River. Where the big deer are. 2015 Taxes: $2475 Asking price $2,850,000 Call Les 970-214-6139 OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST AND SPORTSMAN PARADISE! Spacious living inside and out. 45 ac., with 10 ac. irrigated. 5000 sq. ft. 5 bdrms. 4 baths, mature trees, lake views. 4 stall horse/livestock barn, with meat processing room & walk in cooler. Covered hay and R.V. storage. 3 stall boat barn/shop garage. Over 1/2 mi. of lake frontage. Borders State land on one side. Private park like setting with end of road location. Bring your ATV’s, snowmobiles, horses, 4-h projects. Truly a one of a kind property! $1,250,000 Call Justin Story 970-217-3163 +/- 80 ACRES VACANT land 4 miles north of Wellington, CO on paved county road 9. Property has excellent mountain views, vast valley views, no covenants, and HOA. Utilities available, no mineral rights, no water rights $349,000. Les 970-214-6139 or Greg 970-218-5911 +/- 5,000 Head Feedlot East Of Wray, Yuma County, CO on Highway 34, complete with truck scale, CAFO permit, retention ponds, 4 wells, elevator and grain storage, great indoor processing and load out facility. 90 acres dryland farm ground. Working condition with complete reconstruction in progress. Tremendous area for feed availability. Les Gelvin (970)214-6139 +/- 14.29 acres, no HOA, no covenants minutes from Fort Collins, excellent mountain views of Longs Peak, beautiful Fort Collins skyline, and Poudre Schools in a beautiful rural setting. Just 1 mile east of I-25 and north of State Highway 14 (AKA east Mulberry) adjacent to County Road 5. Can be divided. $339,000 Call Greg or Les +/- 36.25 I-25 frontage acres north of Wellington, Colorado. County Road 70 exit in Larimer County, Colorado. Buildable for a residence, no HOA or covenants. Water tap available along with electric adjacent to property. Excellent high visibility from I-25, any commercial uses or development subject to county special review. Presently in pasture. $500,000 Call Les or Greg 159+/- ACRES CRP - 7 miles Northeast of Ault. No oil or gas rights included. Excellent income potential. $200,000 Call Les or Greg (970-221-2607)