Will,

I'll give you a few of the reasons why absentee ownership is not good for our area. You are right though, it is not entirely bad...few things are.

First, It takes wealth out of our local economy. Either 1/3 of our crop, or our cash rent leaves here and goes there. You may visit a time or two a year, but it doesn't replace the lost dollars. You may buy a few meals and a tank or two of gas here, but we can't sustain an economy on two weekends a year.

Second, Farmers who do not own the ground that they farm are unable to make substantial improvements to the ground, and absentee owners, as investors, often do not like to spend a lot on things such as new fence, weed control, and terracing. As is the case with all real estate, owner occupation leads to better upkeep. It also gives our producers long term security in that they have acreage to farm under control.

Third, Many of the absentee purchasers are not merely "smarter" individuals as you put it. Often they are GROUPS of people with more purchasing power. You alluded to it raising our real estate value, and that has indeed been the case. It has been raised to the point that it is no longer feasible for farmers to purchase it, and the improved value really doesn't help anybody unless they sell.

Last, you are right, there is pride and emotion involved. Hypothetically, would you be okay if Japan purchased most of America and hired us to run it? Wouldn't that be a good thing?
They would come here once in a while and buy Whoppers.

Respectfully Submitted,

John Cocktoasten