Farm & Land Management Services

Professional Oversight for Sustainable and Profitable Land Ownership

Owning farmland or ranchland is a valuable asset, but managing it effectively requires expertise, time, and attention. Our Farm Management Services provide comprehensive oversight, ensuring your property remains productive, well-maintained, and compliant with all regulations, while maximizing your returns.

Our Services Include:

Tenant Selection & Lease Negotiation – We customize lease agreements to align with your financial and operational goals, ensuring fair and competitive terms. Whether that includes retaining your existing tenant or helping place a new one. By analyzing market trends and regional lease rates, we secure agreements that benefit both parties. Additionally, we oversee lease renewals and make necessary adjustments to keep pace with changing market conditions. 

Rental Collection & Financial Oversight – Hassle-free collection and transparent financial reporting for consistent income management.

Property Inspections & Maintenance Coordination – Regular site visits ensure your land, storage buildings, and other structures remain in top condition, protecting their long-term value.

Insurance Evaluation – We review liability, property, and crop/hail insurance policies to ensure you have the right coverage. As well as offer you adequate liability coverage if it isn’t currently in place.

Regulatory & Government Compliance – Stay ahead of evolving agricultural programs, land-use requirements, and conservation incentives.

 

Who Benefits from Our Services?

Absentee or Non-Resident Landowners – Ensure your property is professionally managed without your daily involvement.

Investors & Families with Agricultural Assets – Preserve and grow your farmland investment with expert guidance that allows your family to retain the asset for generations to come.

Owners with both land and mineral rights – Our Oil and Gas managers will work in concert with our farm managers to give you a comprehensive management package. Ensuring the best decisions are made for owners, as well as keeping happy tenants.

Owners Seeking Peace of Mind – Let us handle the complexities of farm management while you enjoy the rewards. Hunting rights can sometimes become a delicate issue with farmland. FWBT’s farm managers are very familiar with these types of negotiations, removing the owner from sometimes challenging situations.

 

With our expert tenant selection and lease negotiation services, we help landowners secure responsible tenants, achieve stable rental income, and protect the long-term health of their land. Having First Western manage your farmland can serve as a foundation to help you plan your financial goals. You may need or want to transfer ownership at some point in the future. First Western can help you through this planning process, as someone familiar with the land, its history, and the dynamics surrounding it. 

Trust & Wealth

Cara Olson

Retirement Benefits Officer

Chad Erickson

Wealth Management Banker
NMLS: 635145

Mark Strand

VP Senior Trust Officer

Tony Watterud

VP Trust Officer

Kailey Boraas

VP Trust Officer

Chad Schmidt

VP Trust Officer

Caley Perleberg

VP Trust Portfolio Manager

Laurie Johnson

VP Trust Operations Officer

Jim Paszek

SVP Trust Manager & Chief Risk Officer

Brad Stai

VP Trust Officer

Downloads & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does First Western's Farm & Land Management service include?

We provide comprehensive oversight of farmland and ranchland, handling the expertise, time, and attention that effective management requires. Our services include tenant selection and lease negotiation, rental collection and financial reporting, property inspections and maintenance coordination, insurance evaluation, and regulatory and government program compliance. The goal is to keep your property productive, well-maintained, and compliant while maximizing your returns.

2. How does First Western handle tenant selection and lease negotiation?

We customize lease agreements to align with your financial and operational goals, whether that means retaining your existing tenant or helping place a new one. By analyzing market trends and regional lease rates, we secure fair, competitive terms that work for both parties. The aim is responsible tenants, stable rental income, and protection of your land’s long-term health.

3. How is rental income collected and reported?

We provide hassle-free rental collection along with transparent financial reporting, so your income is managed consistently and you always know where things stand. This removes the administrative burden from your plate while keeping your records clear and organized. It’s a core part of letting you own productive farmland without the day-to-day workload.

4. Do you inspect the property and coordinate maintenance?

Yes. Regular site visits ensure your land, storage buildings, and other structures stay in top condition, which protects their long-term value. When maintenance is needed, we coordinate the work so issues are addressed before they become costly problems. This ongoing oversight is especially valuable for owners who can’t be on the property regularly.

5. Can you review my insurance and help with government program compliance?

Yes. We review your liability, property, and crop/hail insurance policies to confirm you have the right coverage, and we can arrange adequate liability coverage if it isn’t currently in place. We also help you stay ahead of evolving agricultural programs, land-use requirements, and conservation incentives, so your operation remains compliant and positioned to benefit from available programs.

6. Is farm management a good fit for absentee or non-resident landowners?

Absolutely. Absentee and non-resident landowners are among those who benefit most, since we ensure the property is professionally managed without requiring your daily involvement. Investors and families with agricultural assets also use our services to preserve and grow farmland investments so the asset can stay in the family for generations. And for owners who simply want peace of mind, we handle the complexities while you enjoy the rewards.

7. I own both farmland and mineral rights. Can you manage both together?

Yes, and this is one of our distinct strengths. Our farm managers and our Oil & Gas Management team work in concert to provide a comprehensive package for owners who hold both land and mineral interests. Coordinating the two helps ensure the best decisions are made for the owner while keeping tenants satisfied, rather than managing each in isolation.

8. Can you help with sensitive issues like hunting rights?

Yes. Hunting rights can become a delicate issue with farmland, and our farm managers are very familiar with these types of negotiations. We can step in and handle them on your behalf, removing you from situations that can sometimes be challenging. It’s one more way professional management protects both your interests and your relationships.

9. Are farm management services FDIC insured, and how do I get started?

Products and services offered through the Trust Department are not FDIC insured, carry no bank guarantee, and may lose value, unlike deposit products at First Western Bank, such as checking, savings, CDs, and IRAs. To get started, contact our Trust & Wealth Department or visit a branch near you. Because we get to know your land, its history, and its dynamics, we can also serve as a knowledgeable partner if you decide to transfer ownership down the road.

10. My child will take over my farming operation, can First Western still help manage the farm?

Yes. Our farm managers enjoy working with the next generation of farmers and watching legacy unfold. When partnering with family tenants or owners, we handle the full scope of farm management: lease negotiation, annual inspections, tax coordination, and insurance oversight. This structure gives you peace of mind and healthy separation from day‑to‑day operations, supporting both parties as roles transition.

11. My farmland is held in a trust, can First Western serve as the farm manager and the trustee?

Absolutely! We would be honored to assist your family as your fiduciary and farm manager, in fact serving as trustee is one of our core services. First Western has a robust team of trust and wealth professionals across our locations that are ready to serve you and your family.

Get Started Today

Ready to experience personalized banking that fits your life? Visit a branch near you or sign up for online banking today. We’re here to help you achieve your financial goals.