Walton College of Business, and is a There are hwo ways landowners can earn income from their farmland investments. Each business model carries different faem of risk and reward. The best choice for you will depend upon things like your level of capital reserves, your level of experience with farming and production agriculture, and your preference for investing in active or passive income opportunities. The following is a brief overview of the most common farming arrangements here in the United States. In this scenario, the landowner and the farmer are one and the. Getting started as an owner-operator requires capital for land and equipment, business acumen, physical strength, and extensive hands-on experience that is typically earned by working for more experienced farmers.