Turning farmland into opportunity without giving up legacy. We're joined by Ethan Branscum, Partner and Director of Farmland Investments at Sower. You might remember our conversation with Eric Mueller last spring, where we introduced the Legacy Farmland Fund. Today, we’re digging deeper into the model with Ethan—exploring how a Farm4Profit listener helped bring Sower its very first deal, what farmland investing looks like in today’s market, and how landowners can unlock equity while keeping generational roots intact.
we welcome Ethan Branscum, a farmland investment leader with a deep background in ag finance, to explore the growing intersection of agriculture and alternative investment. As Partner and Director of Farmland Investments at Sower Farmland Fund and Legacy Farmland Fund, Ethan helps manage a portfolio of properties that connect farmland owners with investors—all while prioritizing legacy, flexibility, and profitability.
Ethan shares his personal path from his upbringing and education at the University of Arkansas to over a decade in ag finance and credit. He breaks down the mission behind Legacy Farmland Fund: giving landowners a new path to transition their asset without selling out their identity. Listeners will get a refresh on how Legacy enables contributors to trade farmland for ownership shares—maintaining long-term exposure to farmland returns, gaining liquidity, and relieving themselves from day-to-day operations.
We dive into today’s land investment landscape, exploring what investors are looking for, how farmland compares to other asset classes, and which U.S. regions are catching the most interest. Ethan also unpacks how technology and data are changing the way land is valued, managed, and selected for investment.
For farmers, this episode provides guidance on what makes a strong farmer-investor partnership, what Ethan looks for in operators, and how Sower supports profitability and growth from the ground up. He offers candid advice for producers considering leasing versus owning, and shares examples of farmer success stories made possible through Sower’s model.