THOUGHT PIECES

New income opportunities can be a good fit for a farm or ranch, but they still need to work with the operation. LandTrust gives landowners another way to generate income from their property through guest experiences. Before adding a visitor experience, consider: • What areas of the property guests could access • How hosting would fit the… Potential On Farm Additional Revenue Streams

Team Spotlight ➡️ Sonora Zaugg, Farm Management Associate Meet Sonora, a vital part of our team here at Root Ag Advisory. She plays a key role in supporting both permanent and row crop operations, with hands-on experience in asset management, budgeting, financial reporting, and property oversight. Lately, she’s been serving as a water liaison, representing… Employee Spotlight: Sonora Zaugg

🌾 A successful harvest ends with everyone home safe. National Farm Safety and Health Week is September 21–25, 2026. This year’s theme, “Safety Today, Success Tomorrow,” is a reminder that protecting an operation begins with protecting the people behind it. In February 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its latest national data, reporting… National Farm Safety & Health Week

RAA Employee Spotlight ➡️ Becca Root, Founder Becca is the Founder of Root Agricultural Advisory where she assists with the day-to-day operations of the various business units. Prior to starting the company with her husband Skye, she worked as a Product Owner for Clearwater Analytics. Prior to Clearwater, she was a public accountant in audit… Employee Spotlight: Becca Root

Production history is proof of how farmland performs. Clear, well-organized records help buyers, appraisers, and advisors understand the land’s productivity and make more confident decisions about its value. Our five-day Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Farmland Value explains how to present your property’s performance in a way buyers trust.

Better yields build long-term value. The decisions made during the growing season become part of the farm’s performance story. Over time, consistent production records can support operational planning, inform investment decisions, and help demonstrate the value of the land. Important metrics to watch for crop yields are crop moisture content and overall crop health, including… Crop Yield Improvement

The wrong starting price can shape every decision that follows. Without the right information, landowners may enter the market with expectations that do not reflect the property’s performance, position, or current buyer demand. Our five-day Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Farmland Value helps you understand what informs farmland pricing before a sale begins. Start the guide… Cost of Information Gaps

🌱 Record farmland values create options. Higher values can strengthen equity, improve access to capital, and give landowners more flexibility when planning for the future. Market averages are only a starting point. The value of an individual operation is shaped by its production history, water, improvements, income potential, location, and the buyers it can attract.… Farmland Values at a Record High

🌱 Farmland value is created through strategy before the sale begins. Understanding your property’s value, market position, and available options can help prevent rushed decisions and strengthen your position before the property reaches the market. Our five-day Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Farmland Value gives you a practical place to begin. Start the guide through the… Understanding Farmland Value

Meet Maryellen Zeise: VP of Permanent Crops at Root Ag Advisory. Maryellen brings a unique blend of financial rigor and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship to our clients’ permanent crop assets. Her work focuses on the strategic side of management—from detailed financial reporting and budgeting to agronomic research that drives long-term value. Before joining… Employee Spotlight: Maryellen Zeise