Winneshiek County accepts highest bid on farmland lease, awards to Lansing bidder

Winneshiek County supervisors accepted the highest bid for a county farmland lease at their Jan. 3 meeting and directed staff to move forward with lease paperwork.

Bidders included Jake Holden (lower bid) and a Lansing bidder identified as Lansing Dairy, which the board accepted. The board discussed the bid as approximately $13,004.52 for about 40.64 acres at $3.31 per acre; when the motion was read it referenced $13,452 in total and $3.31 per acre. The board also noted lease language providing for automatic year-to-year renewal unless written notice is given.

Supervisors discussed the property description, easement limitations tied to wetlands and an existing permanent easement that restricts development. The motion to accept the high bid carried; supervisors asked staff to finalize the lease and prepare the necessary notices and signatures.

The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair announced the motion passed and directed staff on next steps.