Blog Archives

Sweet Home Alabama

Posted on July 21, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

On the shores of Alabama’s largest lake, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks has found the perfect piece of property. Now all he needs is the time to enjoy it.

Tagged with: American Idol, Eric O'Keefe, Goose Pond Island, Lake Guntersville, Taylor Hicks
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, July 2008, Magazine, News Desk, Regional News, South

But I’ve been meaning to reference this article that ran in The New York Times on July 18. It’s yet another example of the effects of the federal government’s mindless ethanol policy. Now, in addition to driving up basic food costs for…

Tagged with: corn ethanol, ethanol, land use policy
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, News Desk

Alabama Land Generates Solid Returns

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

That’s the conclusion one draws from a recent report titled Alabama Farm Real Estate: A Comparison of Returns and Values Since 1970, which was prepared by John Adrian and Walt Prevatt, professors and extension economists at Auburn University.

Tagged with: Alabama land values, Alabama real estate, Auburn University, John Adrian, Walt Prevatt
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature

Mexico Opposes Ethanol

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

As we’ve seen over the last few months, skyrocketing commodity prices are pushing land values to record levels. They are also squeezing cattlemen and other producers who rely on corn and other grains to fatten livestock and poultry. One of…

“The Land Market Has Never Been Stronger”

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

So says Mac Boyd, a broker at Farmers National in Arcola, Illinois. Boyd is just one of the many veteran real estate professionals who are closely monitoring the strongest farmland market in decades.

Tagged with: commodity prices, corn, Eric O'Keefe, ethanol, farmland, soybeans
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, Great Plains, Midwest, News Desk, West

Pinon Canyon: Uranium Contamination?

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

First, the Army set off a firestorm when it announced its intention to use eminent domain to condemn 400,000 acres of family farms and ranches in order to triple the size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Then lightning strikes…

Tagged with: eminent domain, Pinon Canyon, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, News Desk, Regional News, West

Florida to Pay $1.75 Billion for 187,000 Acres in the Everglades

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

In a massive deal announced earlier today, the State of Florida will acquire almost 300 square miles of the Everglades in and around the south end of Lake Okeechobee from U.S. Sugar Corp. for $1.75 billion ($9,000+ per acre).

Tagged with: Babcock Ranch, Broward County, Charlie Crist, Dade County, Eric O'Keefe, Everglades, Florida Everglades, Gov. Charlie Crist, Lake Okeechobee, Martin County, Palm Beach County, St. Joe, Talisman Sugar Plantation, U.S. Sugar
Posted in Conservation, Eric OKeefe, Farming, Feature, News Desk, Public Land, Regional News, South, Topics, Water

Brokaw Steps up to Meet the Press

Posted on June 23, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

Losing Tim Russert was the sort of blow that makes you take pause. The man was 58 years old and at the top of his game, and it showed each week he hosted Meet the Press. I don’t know if…

Tagged with: Meet the Press, Tim Russert, Tom Brokaw
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, News Desk

678,000 Acres for $20 Million?

Posted on June 18, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

For the price of a penthouse overlooking Central Park, an investor could also buy 1,000 square miles in Brazil. Prices such as this listing in the Amazon River basin’s Madeira River are one of the many reasons that many are looking…

Tagged with: Amazon, Brazil, foreign ownership, Johan Eliasch, overseas
Posted in Cattle, Conservation, Eric OKeefe, Farming, Feature, Hunting, International, News Desk, Timber, Topics, Water

Rising Fuel Costs & the American Landowner

Posted on June 17, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

11 billion miles. That’s the decrease in the number of miles Americans drove in March 2008 versus March 2007, according to the Federal Highway Administration. As this article in the Wall Street Journal points out, the 4.3 percent drop is…

Tagged with: energy, Eric O'Keefe, fuel costs, rising fuel costs
Posted in Energy, Eric OKeefe, Feature