Land for Sale in Iowa

The Number 2 Agricultural State

In the 1989 film, Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella tore out much of his corn crop on the family's Iowa farm to build a baseball diamond. "If you build it, they will come," was the voice he heard in his head. Shoeless Joe Jackson along with other members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox team came, appearing from the tall corn stalks around the field. It was an apt representation of Iowa farmland that stands true today. Perhaps, purchase farm and land for sale in Iowa and build your own backyard baseball field!

There's a good reason why people associate Iowa with farming. It is the number 2 agricultural state behind California. It's the top state in corn production and ranks second in soybean production. It also leads the U.S. in hog and egg production.

Types of Iowa Land for Sale

There are always great farms and land for sale in Iowa  whether established producing land or barren. For those interested in investing but not yet ready to turn their attention to farming, consider the purchase of acreage that has a history of being leased by other farmers.

There is also some diverse recreational land in Iowa. While it doesn't have any major league football or baseball teams, the state's population has a vested interest in other sports including those by the Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association, and an abundance of other equine-related events. 4-H and FFA activities for children and teenagers is a huge part of growing up outside of the big city. There is Iowa hunting land & acreage for sale that may become recreational for you to use as well!

As such there are a lot of small family farms which sometimes become available after the kids grow up. Horse ranches, from small breeding operations with indoor arenas to larger spreads, are available throughout the state. For those with horses, other livestock, and family pets, you may wish to consider property near Ames, in the central part of the state and close to one of the top veterinary schools in the country.

When looking for recreational farm and land for sale in Iowa consider taking a look around Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County near the north end of the state. Here, you'll find a fishing paradise with marinas and small-acre property with or without a summer cottage. Other recreational lands for sale in Iowa can be found throughout Iowa whether investing for retirement property outside of the big city in which to enjoy the wildlife or hunting acreage. Check out Appanoose, Pottawattamie, and Van Buren counties among others.

Iowa Weather and Soil

Iowa receives a lot of rain and snow. It is cold in the winter, has wet springs and is hot and often humid during summer. The average rainfall in Iowa City, in the center of the state, is just above 37" with an average snowfall of 28". The abundance of rain is key to the state's crop production.

The state's fertile soil is the other key. If you find farm and land for sale in Iowa, there is a high probability the soil will be phenomenal for growing crops. In the article, Soil Wealth, Why North America Feeds the World, author David Montgomery of the University of Washington, attributes native forests and natural grasslands which had once covered various regions of the world, including the Midwest, with organic materials as major contributions to fertile soil.

"And the best of these soils for agriculture are those developed on deposits of loess, windblown silt such as that covering most of the American Midwest," Montgomery states in his article. Much of that land and soil is in Iowa.

Iowa Land and Industry

Now is a great time to invest in Iowa property. Statewide, an average price for one-acre of Iowa farmland was $7,264 in 2018. Farmland takes up 92% of the state with nearly 31 million acres of farmland. Iowa is also experiencing industrial growth, and it's mostly related to agriculture.

The largest cereal plant in the country is Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids. The country's largest popcorn processing plant is in Sioux City. And, Waterloo is home to the largest wheel-tractor plant in the country.

Farmlands and other properties here are available in small 10-20-acre plots to 1,000-acres or more. If you are looking for your own Field of Dreams, consider browsing our IA Farms, and our Iowa hunting land & acreage for sale.

Buy Land in Iowa

You may find your dream property on Land Broker Co-op. If you have land for sale in Iowa or any state and are interested in sharing with our Co-op listings, get started today!