F
arm real estate values are on the rise, but at a slower pace than in previous years. According to the USDA's Land Values 2025 Summary Report, the average U.S. farm real estate value increased by 4.3% to $4,350 per acre. Regional variations saw Florida up 4.8%, Georgia up 4.9%, and Alabama up 3.8%. Meanwhile, cash rents for cropland rose just 0.6% to $161 per acre, a lagging indicator that tends to follow land values and commodity prices.

    This trend has significant implications for beginning farmers and those without land equity, who face substantial barriers to accessing operating credit due to the increasing cost of land. The USDA's report highlights these challenges, which are further detailed in the American Farm Bureau's Market Intel report: https://www.fb.org/market-intel/real-estate-rising-farmland-values-hit-record-high