"Number of acres effected would be greatly reduced if they were buying however."

You still haven't opened your eyes to look all around the box, not just inside the box.  FF is consortium so to speak looking for growth.  If the desire comes to purchase ground for members, walla, instant corporation with investors, doctors, lawyers, big money types.  Far fetched today, but deadlier to your ideals then renting.

You have to know the "enemy" to stay ahead of them.  The thinking has to change if you intend to maintain position in the renting game.  The guy who looks around outside the box occasionally finds a gem.