keving - 1/31/2016 14:52

Took on a new farm last year that is a mix of heavy clay hills and flat gravel bottom. The clay is of coarse very wet in the ravines.
We offered to pattern tile about 65 acres of the farm with no cost to the owner,only a signed 10 yr lease. In the agreement the rent per acre would not increase either for 10 yrs.
at first mention of the proposal, the owner was very interested and wanted to see estimates of the project. As soon as receiving one of two estimates, I emailed the proposal to the landlord/owner.
Their response was this...why spend that kind of money? We only got stuck one time on the hill !! ( they have not actively farmed in almost 30 yrs)
How do I respond to them without insulting them? Why would you turn down an offer from someone to spend $50k to improve your land?
We've tiled other farms over the yrs with this same concept and have never had an issue.
Never thought I'd be asking for advice on what others have done to convince the landowner this is a win/win deal ? TIA