Farm4Profit Podcast

Alternative Income from Your Land

Episode Summary

We attack 4 different ways to get more income or revenue from the land that you own. First we talk with Harvest Hosts about allowing campers to stay on your property. We then talk with Base Camp Leasing about leasing out hunting rights to your property. Lastly, we catch the details behind hosting wind and solar energy projects on your land.

Episode Notes

Guest – CEO Joel Holland

Joel is a technology entrepreneur, and his wife is a veterinarian. They are avid RVers based out of Vail, Colorado. After hundreds of nights spent RVing through all 48 lower States, his biggest gripe was the lack of unique RV overnight experiences. They then joined Harvest Hosts, and after staying at incredible locations from wineries to alpaca farms, it changed their RV lives. In 2018 they purchased Harvest Hosts from the original founders, Don and Kim Greene.

What is Harvest Hosts?

• We are a network of wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, and attractions that invite RVers to stay in 3007+ stunning camping sites. The $99 yearly membership gives members unlimited access to stay overnight at any one of our Host‘s locations. We kindly ask our members to support their Hosts by purchasing one of their local products with each stay!

What are the requirements for joining the program

• You must have a self-contained RV with a toilet, water tank and inside cooking facilities
• No tents of any kind are allowed

How does this help our listeners who own property make more profit or generate another source of income?

• We encourage support of the Hosts you camp with! Think of how much your fabulous overnight is worth and use some of those camping costs savings to purchase wine or gifts from the gift shop.
• We recommend spending a minimum of $20 to support your Host–that way everyone wins!

What are other benefits to the land owners?

• A unique and FREE marketing option? Our Host Location program at Harvest Hosts is a cost-free opportunity for hosts to share their offerings with our members by simply opening up space for an overnight stay. Our members spend millions of dollars each year while visiting Harvest Hosts locations.
• Meet extraordinary and interesting RVers from around the world while increasing your business revenue one parking spot at a time!
• HOST PAGE – Each Host has their own page on our website and members access this through the membership portal.
• You can add pictures, video, and any information you want to tell our members about your business. It also includes links to your website and Facebook page. You can edit much of the information using your Host login to ensure accuracy of hours, products, and parking instructions. Every time a member looks up your state or province, your personal Host page will pop up so that members can learn more about you.
• REVIEWS & REFERRALS – Harvest Host members can be your ambassadors of goodwill and help further promote your business. They can write reviews both on our website and on social media. Our community has a wonderful network and you will find that good news travels fast leading to more support for you!
• NO SERVICES REQUIRED – Member vehicles are required to be self-contained. You do not need to provide electricity, water, sewage dump, or wi-fi. If you have any of those, that is a great bonus for our members, but they are not required.
• COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIP – We give all of our Hosts a free membership with full access to the Harvest Host website and membership benefits. If you have your own RV, you can visit other Hosts in your travels.

What about concerns for hosts over the type of or quality of the guests coming to stay?

• MEMBER CONTACT – Harvest Host members are able to secure their reservation via our Request-A-Stay system or by email/phone. Hosts are able to select their preferred form of communication and have the ability to approve the request. Our members know that they must always contact you ahead of time before showing up.
• MEMBER VERIFICATION – Upon booking or arrival ask the member for their membership number or card. They can give you a printed card or show it to you on a mobile device. Through your Host login, you are able to run their member number to see the current status of their membership.
• MEMBER ARRIVAL – We suggest using a sign-in sheet or writing this information down to keep track of your visitors. Direct the members to where you want them to park and tell them a little bit about your business.

www.harvesthosts.com

Guest - Sean Ferbrache - Chief Operating Officer - Officer at American Hunting Lease Association

Sean is the Chief Operating Officer for the American Hunting Lease Association and has served in that role for over 8 years. The AHLA is the trade association for the hunting lease industry and advocates for recreational access to private land all over.  He also worked in Indiana as an agent for Base Camp Leasing helping hunters secure access to private farms.  Sean hunts/fishes in multiple states every year on both private and public ground and regularly advises landowners on methods to improve the land ownership experience and hopefully add some revenue at the same time.             

Prior to leading the AHLA, he was a career Indianapolis firefighter for 26 years. Sean and his wife live in Indianapolis and spend as much time as possible outside hiking, camping and traveling.

Who is Base Camp Leasing?

• Base Camp Leasing was founded by Steve Meng, an accomplished whitetail deer hunter and former grain industry professional. Steve took his passion for hunting and turned it into a career. Personally experiencing discouragement in the lack of accessibility to private hunting property, Steve was motivated to develop a mutually beneficial business model to serve both landowners and hunters alike. Established in 1999, Base Camp Leasing has led the way in the hunting lease industry and continues to expand to new states every year.
• Whether you are a landowner looking into leasing your hunting property, or a hunter looking to lease a property, our administrative staff is here to help you. We understand the need to be able to pick up the phone and call someone to ask questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our knowledgeable team members.
• Many landowners are realizing the value of leasing hunting rights to their land for an additional income stream and property security.  This exclusive access has tremendous value, but does require some effort on the landowners part as well as some added responsibility.  All which can be accounted for with a simple liability policy.
• There are resources for hunters and landowners that they need to safely and successfully gain/grant access to private land.  
• Liability programs for private Hunt Clubs Guides and Outfitters and Landowners of vacant land make it possible for hunters and others to enjoy not just the great sport of hunting, but all other types of recreational activities as well. All this while providing landowners with security, confidence and peace of mind.
• Even though hunting is one of the safest activities Americans take part in, there are invariably accidents that occur. Some of the events hunters may need protection from:  Liability from the use of atv’s and tree stands, fire damage liability (in case of an accidental fire that damages property), medical expenses for unexpected injuries (stepping into an unmarked well or hole)
• Vacant or undeveloped land may leave you open to unnecessary risks and liability.  It doesn’t matter if the guest was invited or a trespasser.  If someone gets injured on your property and they pursue legal action, you could be forced to pay legal fees and medical bills.
• Benefits to leasing out your land – Reduce crop damage, reduce trespassing and poaching, avoid confrontation with family and friends on who gets to hunt your property.

• Where does base camp operate mostly?

• Can any land owner participate or are there requirements?

• What does a typical hunting lease look like?

• When does the lease start?

• How is the price determined on a property?

• Do I get to meet the hunters on my property?

• Is there any out-of-pocket cost to the landowner?

• Who is responsible for posting the property available for lease?

• Can I still access my property after it is leased?

• Can the hunters bring guests on my property?

• How do I terminate a lease with Base Camp Leasing?

• Do hunters have to bid on the lease for next year?

Al Zeitz - Manager of Renewable Energy Services at Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative

Al has a career of experience working in the wind and solar industry, let’s have us tell us about the various positions he has held.

Wind

• How do land owners make money from wind turbines?
• Do most land owners not own the turbines?
• Can a land owner have their own turbine and sell power back?
• How are leases usually structured with the land owner?
• Are land owners forced in to having a wind turbine on the property?
• If someone wanted a wind turbine on their property are there ways to go about getting signed up?
• Can a land owner get out of a lease?
• What happens to the turbine if the land owner wants out?
• Are the leases transferable with the sale of the land?
• What is the useful life of a turbine?

Solar

• How do land owners make money from solar farms or solar panels?
• Do most land owners not own their own panels?
• How are leases usually structured with the land owner?
• If someone wanted to start a solar farm on their property how should they go about getting signed up?
• Can a land owner get out of a lease?
• What happens if the land owner wants out?
• Are the leases transferable with the sale of the land?
• What is the useful life of solar panels?