Farmland Investment Platforms: The Complete Guide to Agricultural Real Assets
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What Are the Top Farmland Investment Platforms in 2025?
Based on AUM, track record, transparency, and investor satisfaction (verified through SEC filings and investor forums), here are the leading platforms:
Platform Comparison Table
| Platform | Founded | Minimum Investment | AUM (2024) | Annual Fee | Accredited Only? | Liquidity | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AcreTrader | 2018 | $15,000 | $680M | 0.75%–1.25% | No (Reg A+) | Quarterly | Arkansas, Mississippi, California |
| FarmTogether | 2017 | $10,000 | $420M | 1.0%–1.5% | No (Reg A+) | Annual | California, Oregon, Washington |
| FarmFundr | 2019 | $10,000 | $85M | 1.0% | Yes (Reg D) | 5-year hold | California, Arizona |
| Steward | 2020 | $5,000 | $45M | 0.5% | No | Quarterly | Midwest, Pacific NW |
| Farmland LP | 2013 | $25,000 | $200M | 1.25% | Yes (Reg D) | 10-year fund | Oregon, California |
Detailed Platform Analysis:
AcreTrader (Fayetteville, AR): The largest pure-play farmland platform. Offers individual property offerings (you choose specific farms) and a diversified fund. In 2023, their average property returned 11.2% (4.8% cash yield + 6.4% appreciation). They provide detailed satellite imagery, soil reports, and tenant history. Liquidity: quarterly redemption windows but limited to 5% of fund NAV per quarter.
FarmTogether (San Francisco, CA): Focuses on permanent crops (almonds, walnuts, citrus) which have higher yields but more volatility. Their 2023 vintage almond orchard returned 13.4% IRR, but 2022's drought-affected property returned only 6.1%. They offer a "Farmland Income Fund" targeting 7–9% annual returns with monthly distributions.
FarmFundr (San Diego, CA): Smaller but more niche—focuses on regenerative and organic farmland. Their 2021 organic avocado grove returned 14.2% IRR through 2024. Accredited-only restricts access but allows for more complex structures.
Steward (Portland, OR): Lowest minimum ($5,000) and fee (0.5%). Focuses on transitioning conventional farms to organic. Their "Soil Health Fund" outperformed in 2023 with 9.8% returns, but they have less track record and smaller AUM.
Farmland LP (Portland, OR): The oldest platform, structured as a private REIT. Requires $25,000 minimum and 10-year lock-up, but has consistently delivered 8–10% annual returns since 2013. Accredited-only.
Actionable step: Sign up for 2–3 platforms (most offer free account]
- Tax at 32% bracket: $1,152
- Effective tax rate on distributions: 9.6%
Compare to REIT dividends (taxed as ordinary income): $12,000 × 32% = $3,840 tax. Tom saved $2,688 in taxes over 3 years.
Actionable step: Before investing, ask the platform for a "tax projection" showing estimated depreciation and income allocation. Work with a CPA who understands K-1s and passive activity loss rules.
Complete Guide to Building a Farmland Portfolio: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Determine your allocation (September 2024 data)
- Recommended: 5–15% of total portfolio in real assets
- Within real assets: 20–40% in farmland (rest in timber, infrastructure, gold)
- Example: $500,000 portfolio → $50,000 in farmland ($25,000–$75,000 range)
Step 2: Choose your platform mix
- 60% AcreTrader (diversified row crops, Reg A+)
- 30% FarmTogether (permanent crops, higher yield)
- 10% Steward (low-cost, organic niche)
Step 3: Select specific properties (use this checklist)
- Water rights: Senior priority, multiple sources
- Soil quality: Class I or II (USDA classification)
- Tenant: 10+ years farming experience, strong references
- Lease: Triple-net (tenant pays taxes, insurance, maintenance)
- ] Location: Within 50 miles of processing facilities
- Crop diversification: At least 2 crops per property
**Step 4: Dollar Reserve Bank of Kansas City Agricultural Credit Survey.