Buying Farmland and Acreage in Minnesota
Buy farmland and acreage in Minnesota knowing what the land can produce, what you can build, and what it will cost to own.
Land is a different kind of purchase
Buying land is not like buying a house. There may be no building to inspect, and the value depends on things you cannot see from the road: the soil, the drainage, the access, and what the county will allow you to do.
I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty, and we help buyers find farmland and acreage across Minnesota and ask the right questions before they commit.
How do I buy farmland in Minnesota? Decide how you will use the land, then confirm the zoning, the access, the soil quality, and any leases or programs attached to it. Land loans usually require a larger down payment than a home loan, so speak with a lender who finances land early.
First, what will you do with the land?
Your plan determines what kind of property you need:
- Farming it yourself or renting it to a farmer. Soil quality and tillable acres matter most.
- A hobby farm or country home. You will need a building site, a well, and a septic system that the county will approve.
- Recreation or hunting. Woods, water, and access matter more than soil.
- Holding it as an investment. Rental income, taxes, and long-term demand all come into the picture. See our investment property page.
What to check before you buy land
- Soil and productivity. How many acres are tillable, and how productive the soil is rated.
- Drainage. Whether the land has drain tile, wetlands, or areas that flood.
- Access. Legal access from a public road, and any easements that cross the property.
- Zoning and building rights. Whether you can build a home, how many, and where. The county or township decides this.
- Existing leases and programs. A farm lease or a conservation program contract may stay with the land after you buy it.
- Survey and boundaries. Where the property lines truly are.
- Well and septic. If there is a home, or if you plan to build one.
We help you gather these answers from the county, the seller, and the right professionals, so you understand the land before you make an offer.
Financing, taxes, and who can own farmland
Land is financed differently from a house. Lenders often ask for a larger down payment, and some specialize in farm and land loans. We can point you toward lenders who do this work.
Property taxes on agricultural land follow their own classifications, and Minnesota has programs that can lower taxes on qualifying farmland. Your county assessor can tell you how a specific parcel is classified.
Minnesota law also limits who may own agricultural land, including restrictions on certain corporations and on some buyers who are not United States citizens or permanent residents. If either could apply to you, speak with a real estate attorney before you sign a purchase agreement.
The state grant that can help with your down payment
Is there help for a first-time farm buyer in Minnesota? Yes. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers a Down Payment Assistance Grant of up to $20,000 toward the purchase of a first farm.
- Who can apply. Minnesota residents who have never owned a farm and who earn less than $250,000 a year in gross agricultural sales. You must show farming knowledge or experience, and you may not buy from a direct family member.
- What you commit to. You provide most of the labor and management, and you farm the land commercially for at least five years.
- How it is awarded. By random lottery, with priority for smaller producers and for growers of specialty crops. The most recent application window ran from July 6 to August 31, 2026.
- Timing. The grant cannot be applied to a purchase that has already closed, so the award comes first and the closing second.
If you have been awarded the grant, tell us at the start. We search with your deadline in mind, and we work with your lender so the grant, your own funds, and the loan come together at closing. Program rules change from year to year, so confirm the current details with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Where affordable farmland is found
Most buyers would like land close to the metro area. Small, affordable parcels there are scarce, and few come on the market. Many of the farmers we work with look farther north, around Princeton, Mora, Stacy, and Stanchfield, where the price per acre is often lower.
We can search both. We watch for land close in, and we show you what the same budget buys an hour away, so you can weigh the drive against the price.
Farmland and acreage across Minnesota
We work with land buyers in the communities around the metro area and well beyond it, including the country near Ramsey, Lake Elmo, Cottage Grove, and Lakeville. If the land you want is farther out, tell us where, and we will let you know how we can help. For a home purchase, see our buying a home page.
Tell us about the land you are looking for
How many acres, what you plan to do with it, and where you would like to be. We will help you find properties and ask the questions that protect you. No pressure and no obligation.
Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770. What questions do you have?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment do I need to buy farmland in Minnesota?
Land loans usually require a larger down payment than a home loan, and the amount depends on the lender and the property. A lender who finances land can give you exact numbers.
Is there a grant to help buy farmland in Minnesota?
Yes. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Down Payment Assistance Grant offers up to $20,000 to eligible first-time farm buyers, awarded by lottery. Confirm current rules with the department.
Where can I find affordable farmland near the metro area?
Small parcels close in are scarce. Many buyers also look around Princeton, Mora, Stacy, and Stanchfield, where the price per acre is often lower.
Can I build a house on farmland in Minnesota?
Sometimes. Building rights depend on the county or township zoning, the size of the parcel, and whether the site can support a well and septic system. Confirm with the county before you buy.
Does a farm lease end when the land is sold?
Not always. A lease or a conservation program contract can continue after a sale. Ask for copies of any agreements and have an attorney review them.
Can a non-citizen buy farmland in Minnesota?
Minnesota law restricts ownership of agricultural land by some buyers who are not citizens or permanent residents, with exceptions. Speak with a real estate attorney before you sign a purchase agreement.
Is farmland a good investment?
It can be, depending on the price, the rent it can earn, the taxes, and your time horizon. We are not financials advisor, so review the numbers with your accountant.
Farmland by neighborhood
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