Farmland values have surged nearly 40% since 2020, prompting investors to utilize publicly traded real estate investment trusts as a accessible way to gain exposure to the agricultural sector.

Key Points

• The average U.S. farmland value reached $4,350 per acre in 2025, marking a 4.3% increase over the previous year.
• Farmland Partners and Gladstone Land are currently the only two publicly traded farmland REITs available to retail investors.
• Farmland Partners trades on the NYSE and focuses primarily on commodity crops such as corn, rice, and cotton.
• Gladstone Land trades on the NASDAQ and specializes in fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, to mitigate commodity price volatility.
• REITs provide a way to earn income through land appreciation and rental payments without the capital requirements of direct farm ownership.

Why it Matters

Farmland investments offer a unique hedge against market volatility because their performance often lacks a strong correlation with traditional stock market fluctuations. By diversifying portfolios with agricultural assets, investors can potentially protect their wealth against the financial swings typically associated with equities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.