Trust me if it was at all possible to purchase the land we would. However, in our area hunters and out of state buyers have driven the price of land to a level that it is no longer practical for anyone to use it for ag purposes. We have already had a lawyer from Chicago and a NFL player show interest in the land, they have alittle bigger bank roll then me. If I was single I would probally make a run at buying no matter the price but with a family to worry about I'm not going to sacrifice their future on something that would prove to be impossible to use as a working farm. My folks thought about renting out the land until I would be able to take over but they need the money from the sale of the land to build a new house that will make it easier for my dad to get around.Again thanks for all the concern.
Keep us in your prayers
- Thread starter itk
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shortyjock89
Well-known member
Itk- My family certainly feels for you. My dad especially knows what it's like to have a father become no longer able to work around the farm like they could at a premature age. We were lucky enough to be able to buy the homestead once my grandma moved to town. Just wanted to know that you're in our thoughts and prayers and that we wish the best for you and your family.
Justin Olson
Justin Olson
Years ago I lived near your beautiful Flint Hills at Winfield. It is some of the best country in the world. To the west of Winfield the temp will be 15-20 degrees warmer in the summer that in the hills to the east. Our prayers are for you all in this most difficult time. I was the guy behind pushing for the Flint Hills Christian Camp in 1970. In 1974 because of my work with young people in the camp, and with the Optimist Club, I was named to Who's Who in Kansas. I really love your area of the country. May the Lord bless and watch over all of you.
the preacher
the preacher
shorthorns r us
Well-known member
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- Apr 9, 2007
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- 900
I have a few ideas that might help you out. They are so far out of the box that I must have used where's the box thoughts.
If you are interested, just say the word. I will email, PM or telephone; you decide. Too lazy to type them now. I have an appointment with docs at 7AM that should take about 6 hours; so, it will be afternoon before I can do this. Let me know how you want it ASAP because I can type while waiting as long as I know by the time I leave the house at 6. Actually, telephone will be best so that I can ask questions and adjust things on the fly. If telephone will work for you, PM your # & good times between noon and midnight.
If you are interested, just say the word. I will email, PM or telephone; you decide. Too lazy to type them now. I have an appointment with docs at 7AM that should take about 6 hours; so, it will be afternoon before I can do this. Let me know how you want it ASAP because I can type while waiting as long as I know by the time I leave the house at 6. Actually, telephone will be best so that I can ask questions and adjust things on the fly. If telephone will work for you, PM your # & good times between noon and midnight.
I think there are several situations possibly going on here that probably all of the posters are thinking about based on their own situation. For what its worth, here's my two cents.
If your dad really needs the money, I can understand the decision to sell the land to the highest bidder so to speak. As in really needs because he can't work or do something else.
How long has the land been in your family? I think this affects that decision a lot. From what I read in AAOK's case, he half-killed himself working to pay for land he bought and will probably sell it at some point in the future to enjoy the fruits of that labor investment a decade or two ago. His kids aren't around to help at all so he might as well enjoy that money.
Here's where it gets touchy though in my thoughts. A whole lot of us worked awfully hard as young kids and young adults helping our parents raise cattle and taking care of the land. I suspect most of us worked really, really cheap (as in free most of the time for a very long time). Our city dwelling brethren didn't have to put in that kind of time and still got taken care of by their parents. As far as I'm concerned, that means we bought in early and although parents may own the title and legally can do what they want, it ain't all theirs to cash in and spend the money enjoying their "golden years", especially if that land was handed down to them to begin with.
If we want that land and the cattle when our parents get too old or in bad shape to take care of it, its is very much time to put up or shutup though. My wife and I discussed this issue thoroughly before we even got engaged and she made her wishes very clear. She just happened to hook up with someone that loved that kind of life as much as she did. As of last November, I now drive 100 miles each way to my office everyday so that she and my kids can be there every day to help. My in-law's land has been in their family anywhere from late 1800s through the 1930s. I think he'd figuratively make us put him down before he let a health issue on his part cause us to have to sell out. I respect and admire that and feel the same way about it for my boys. The other side of that coin is that we'll darn sure take care of him and his wife till the end no matter what. That isn't always easy or pretty, but its how life is supposed to work. Its a relatively modern invention of pawning off your parents to a nursing home or assisted care center. Sometimes its unavoidable, but there are lots of alternatives to that approach that don't cost nearly as much in money that can help you hold onto what's important.
We couldn't afford to buy the land right now either - our land prices have gone up just like they probably have everywhere else and you can't make those payments with cattle - which is where the 100 mile a day thing comes in. But we are darned sure continuing to buy in with a whole lot of work. Our plan is to hopefully use my income someday to buy the land and cattle out some day when we have to. One of these days we will have to deal with a couple of aunts that own some of the land plus a brother and sister. We probably won't ever be able to hold onto it all, but at least hopefully what we consider our core.
Selling out to big money more interested in hunting is a trend in lots of places. The angle you also ought to think about it those people won't want to run cows more than likely. Those people may not want cows on it initially, but they'll figure out in a hurry the grass gets to tall for good hunting without some grazing. Work out a lease deal with new ownerrs. Over the long term, there aren't many people currently in their 20s and 30s interested in chasing cows. There will be lots of lease opportunities someday I think.
If your dad really needs the money, I can understand the decision to sell the land to the highest bidder so to speak. As in really needs because he can't work or do something else.
How long has the land been in your family? I think this affects that decision a lot. From what I read in AAOK's case, he half-killed himself working to pay for land he bought and will probably sell it at some point in the future to enjoy the fruits of that labor investment a decade or two ago. His kids aren't around to help at all so he might as well enjoy that money.
Here's where it gets touchy though in my thoughts. A whole lot of us worked awfully hard as young kids and young adults helping our parents raise cattle and taking care of the land. I suspect most of us worked really, really cheap (as in free most of the time for a very long time). Our city dwelling brethren didn't have to put in that kind of time and still got taken care of by their parents. As far as I'm concerned, that means we bought in early and although parents may own the title and legally can do what they want, it ain't all theirs to cash in and spend the money enjoying their "golden years", especially if that land was handed down to them to begin with.
If we want that land and the cattle when our parents get too old or in bad shape to take care of it, its is very much time to put up or shutup though. My wife and I discussed this issue thoroughly before we even got engaged and she made her wishes very clear. She just happened to hook up with someone that loved that kind of life as much as she did. As of last November, I now drive 100 miles each way to my office everyday so that she and my kids can be there every day to help. My in-law's land has been in their family anywhere from late 1800s through the 1930s. I think he'd figuratively make us put him down before he let a health issue on his part cause us to have to sell out. I respect and admire that and feel the same way about it for my boys. The other side of that coin is that we'll darn sure take care of him and his wife till the end no matter what. That isn't always easy or pretty, but its how life is supposed to work. Its a relatively modern invention of pawning off your parents to a nursing home or assisted care center. Sometimes its unavoidable, but there are lots of alternatives to that approach that don't cost nearly as much in money that can help you hold onto what's important.
We couldn't afford to buy the land right now either - our land prices have gone up just like they probably have everywhere else and you can't make those payments with cattle - which is where the 100 mile a day thing comes in. But we are darned sure continuing to buy in with a whole lot of work. Our plan is to hopefully use my income someday to buy the land and cattle out some day when we have to. One of these days we will have to deal with a couple of aunts that own some of the land plus a brother and sister. We probably won't ever be able to hold onto it all, but at least hopefully what we consider our core.
Selling out to big money more interested in hunting is a trend in lots of places. The angle you also ought to think about it those people won't want to run cows more than likely. Those people may not want cows on it initially, but they'll figure out in a hurry the grass gets to tall for good hunting without some grazing. Work out a lease deal with new ownerrs. Over the long term, there aren't many people currently in their 20s and 30s interested in chasing cows. There will be lots of lease opportunities someday I think.
