Iowa is the kind of place where the original American dream of owning land comes true. Ranked among the top midwestern states to find a job and pursue that American dream, Iowa is a land of opportunity waiting for people to take advantage of all it offers.
Iowa History
Before becoming the 29th state in 1846, Iowa was a rugged prairie landscape that was home to numerous Native American tribes and groups, including the Mesquakie people who would eventually return to the land. Iowa has always been a haven of rich natural resources and the center for a global conversation regarding the use and conservation of those resources.
Iowa Hunting Land for Sale
Often referred to as the “Land of the Giants,” hunters can’t help but be drawn to the incredible heritage of the outdoor lifestyle pursuing some of the biggest white-tail bucks North America offers. Through its Habitat and Access Program, Iowa landowners are encouraged to open their land to public hunting, receiving in turn funding and government expertise and assistance for maintaining and improving the habitat of wild game. This program includes over 32,000 acres of public hunting land, expanding yearly.
Iowa hunting land for sale includes large-acreage properties with existing hunting land leases and smaller farms and forests ready for the right owner to turn them into thriving wildlife habitats.
In addition to forested land, Iowa hosts abundant waterfowl and wetland hunting, where bird hunters can bag teal, geese, mergansers, doves, rails, and coots.
Northwest Iowa prairies along the South Dakota border are home to unbelievable pheasant hunting. Populations of the beautiful game bird are abundant, well, and thriving. Your search for Iowa hunting land for sale will yield a variety of landscapes, properties, and terrain through which avid hunters can make the most of this bountiful region.
Iowa Ranch Land
Ranching in Iowa is secondary to its farming efforts, with pork and cattle leading the way, but Iowa ranches are also home to several horse breeding operations. Iowa has a long history of livestock raising and continues to be home to many livestock exhibitions that garner attention from global audiences. Beef ranching in the state is also on the rise and remains a steady investment opportunity for ranchers and landowners.
Iowa Farm Land for Sale
Iowa is well-known as the world's largest producer of corn and has led the way filling up fields and farmers’ markets with corn better than any place on earth for over 150 years. There's simply no place better suited to grow corn, creating income and livelihoods for families and landowners across the state.
Perhaps surprisingly, Iowa is the number one nationwide producer of several additional agricultural products, including pork, eggs, ethanol, and biodiesel.
With over 30 million acres of operational farmland in Iowa, investors and farmers alike looking for Iowa farm land for sale have the opportunity to be a part of tilling and utilizing some of the most fertile soil in North America.
Iowa Timber Land for Sale
While Iowa is known for its expansive prairies and fertile farmland, it also boasts a significant amount of timberland. The state has over 3 million acres of forest with a number of parcels of timber land for sale. Timberland in Iowa is home to valuable hardwoods including oak and walnut. Many timberland properties in Iowa are located near rivers and lakes, providing access to water-based recreation. Iowa timber land for sale can provide a unique opportunity for landowners to diversify their portfolios, generate income, and enjoy the benefits of owning and caring for a natural resource.
Iowa Water Rights and Iowa Waterways
One of Iowa's strongest geographical features is its abundance of rivers. Pikes Peak near McGregor and Effigy Mounds National Monument gives jaw-dropping, far-reaching views of the Mississippi River Valley. The Missouri, Iowa, Des Moines, and Big Sioux Rivers cut from northwest to southeast Iowa, providing fertile soil for agriculture. From its wetlands to inland lakes and rivers, a number of conservation programs exist to restore and replenish Iowa’s waterways for future generations.
Iowa employs a riparian system for water rights, meaning that surface water use is limited to landowners whose property is adjacent to a natural or man-made river, stream, or lake. This property owner can use the natural water flow on their land for agricultural, industrial, or domestic reasons but can not harm another landowner’s water source. For more information on water rights in Iowa, visit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website.
Iowa Mineral Rights
The Mines and Minerals Bureau of Iowa manages the distribution of permits for new mining sites, reclamation of old mining sites, and more. While coal has not been mined in Iowa since 1994, Iowa’s mines offer construction materials, including limestone, sand and gravel, gypsum, and clay.
Iowa Industry & Recreation
Home to over 1,100 species of fish and wildlife, Iowa is a haven for recreational wildlife-watching as it works to preserve each nongame species such as birds, small mammals, bats, amphibians, reptiles, small fish, butterflies, dragonflies, and more.
Opportunities abound not only for hunting but also for canoe trails and fishing. Further south in Geodes State Park is the best place to find the state rock, the Geode. Grey and pink limestone, when it's cracked open, reveals crystals of all colors. Geode Lake, within the park, is an excellent spot to drop a line for bluegill, crappie, and bass.
Urban areas offering thriving industry opportunities, such as Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, and Council Bluffs, help contribute to the state's attraction. Other than agriculture, industries such as manufacturing, processing, financial services, information technology, biotechnology, and green energy production contribute to the success of the state as well as ranking it among the top for safest states to call home.
The thrill of Iowa's western regions also includes places like Stone State Park. Bluffs overlooking prairies and ravines leading to the Big Sioux River offer some of Iowa's most scenic camping opportunities. Preparation Canyon State Park at Loess Hills State Forest offers some of the best backpacking in Iowa, running along the ridgelines of hills and offering big skies and 360-degree views.
Looking to find Iowa farm land for sale?
With its rolling hills, rich agriculture, beautiful hardwoods, winding rivers, and looming large white-tail deer, Iowa is an easy place to call home. Reach out to your local Whitetail Properties Land Specialist to find your dream property.
