Iowa Land Values propped up by Government payments
"A recent USDA study found that farm program payments are responsible for one-fourth to one-third of the value of land in Iowa... In the late 1980s, 75 percent of land purchases were by existing farmers. Investors accounted for less than 20 percent. This year, 58 percent land buyers were existing farmers, and 37 percent were investors. New farmer purchases were at 2 percent, a fairly consistent number. Increasing land values are a two-edged sword. For people who own land, it's great. For people who rent land, it's a bad thing."

Iowa Land Values propped up by Government payments
"A recent USDA study found that farm program payments are responsible for one-fourth to one-third of the value of land in Iowa... In the late 1980s, 75 percent of land purchases were by existing farmers. Investors accounted for less than 20 percent. This year, 58 percent land buyers were existing farmers, and 37 percent were investors. New farmer purchases were at 2 percent, a fairly consistent number. Increasing land values are a two-edged sword. For people who own land, it's great. For people who rent land, it's a bad thing."