Shelby County Land Rent Auction For 2026 Crop Year

• Department: Board of Supervisors
• Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

PUBLIC NOTICE TO BIDDERS

SHELBY COUNTY LAND RENT AUCTION FOR 2026 CROP YEAR

The Shelby County Farm located two miles south of Harlan, will be offered for cash rent to the highest bidder. The bids must be delivered to the Auditor’s Office in a sealed envelope marked “County Land” by December 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The opening of sealed bids will be held at 612 Court Street Harlan, Iowa on December 16, 2025, at 9:00 AM during the regular Board of Supervisors meeting. Contract will be signed by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors and the successful bidder.

1. Terms of the contract will be for one year with payment as follows: 10% of the total bid price submitted by the day of the auction.  Remaining balance will be due February 28, 2026.
2. Shelby County will complete grid soil sampling on the farm. All dry fertilizer will be applied based on the results. In addition to the rent on or before December 31, 2025, the successful bidder will reimburse the Shelby County for one fourth (1/4) of the costs for the lime application and shall pay 100% of the fertilizer/application costs directly to the supplier.
3. The successful bidder will be required to farm the land in accordance with the soil conservation plan for the property. This will include contour farming, farming to maintain terraces, field borders, buffer strips and waterways. The soil conservation plan is on file and may be viewed at the NRCS office in Harlan. All bidders will be required to certify that they have read the soil conservation plan. Weed control is a part of the contract. Any herbicide which will not permit the rotation of crop from corn to soybeans will not be permitted.
4. A map showing the fields to be farmed, with approximate measurements is available for viewing at the Auditor's Office. There are approximately 145 acres more or less of crop land involved in this letting.
5. No subcontracting allowed.
6. Cash rent will include the use of the 7,500-bushel grain bin on the property. The successful bidder will be responsible for paying for the electricity to the bin.
7. The Agency reserves the right to reject all bids.

SHELBY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS