Cultivating Stability: How Sower Legacy Farmland Fund Supports Farmers
One of the greatest challenges facing American agriculture today isn’t just weather, input costs, or global markets—it’s succession. According to USDA data, over 60% of farmland is owned by people over the age of 65. Without a clear plan, these acres risk leaving production or sparking family disputes. That’s where the Sower Legacy Farmland Fund steps in.
Founded by Eric Mueller, the fund offers a groundbreaking solution: landowners can contribute their farms into a collective fund that keeps farmland in production while also delivering financial benefits and preserving family heritage.
This approach is similar in spirit to other farmland transition conversations we’ve had on the Farm4Profit Podcast, including our episodes on retirement planning for farmers and succession planning challenges.
Why Farmland Investment Matters
Farmland investment has become an increasingly important piece of today’s agricultural economy. Not only is farmland a finite asset, but it also offers resilience against inflation and volatility.
Unlike traditional farmland sales, Sower Legacy’s model allows:
Alternative to 1031 Exchanges – enabling deferred capital gains.
Flexible Ownership Units – which can be gifted, inherited, or liquidated without triggering full capital gains.
Professional Farm Management – ensuring land is leased, improved, and maintained for long-term profitability.
As Eric Mueller explains:
“I saw succession planning issues tear families apart time and time again, along with producers losing acres. I felt called to create a solution that preserves family legacies and helps farmland owners benefit financially from their land.”
For more context on farmland’s growing role in ag finance, see insights from Ag Leader and John Deere.
Empowering Farmers With Options
Farmers who contribute land to the fund gain:
Liquidity without having to sell the farm outright.
Diversification to reduce exposure to unpredictable input costs and market swings.
Control and Flexibility in estate planning, ensuring the legacy stays intact.
Improved ROI through economies of scale, discounts, and capital improvement projects managed by professionals.
This type of structure offers peace of mind for retiring farmers, next-generation heirs, and even outside investors who want to ensure farmland stays in agricultural use.
Looking Ahead
The farmland transition wave is only just beginning. With billions in assets expected to change hands over the next two decades, tools like the Sower Legacy Farmland Fund will play a critical role in shaping the future of agriculture.
For more conversations about the future of farm finance and innovation, check out our Farm4Profit episodes with:
SimpleHedge: Managing Ag Risk
Ambrook: Modern Farm Finance Tools
The challenge is clear: without innovative estate and financial planning tools, farm families risk losing both wealth and legacy. Funds like Sower Legacy are ensuring those acres stay productive and profitable for generations to come.
