Jessica Lambert

New 2025 Iowa Land Laws Effective July 1 Own land, lease hunting ground, or work in rural Iowa real estate? New Iowa land laws take effect July 1, 2025. These changes impact how you use, access, finance, and manage land—especially if you farm, hunt, or invest. At LandGuys, we work where policy meets the property line. That’s why we’ve reviewed these new laws to help you understand what’s changing and what to watch for in your land decisions. #1 - Drone Flights Over Farmland Now Require Landowner Consent Senate File 491 creates new privacy protections for Iowa landowners by restricting unauthorized drone flights over rural farmsteads. Operators of remotely piloted aircraft are now prohibited from flying within 400 feet of farm animals, equipment, or structures located on a farmstead, unless they have the landowner’s permission. This law applies only to farmsteads located outside city limits. The property must be actively used for farming and generate at least $15,000 in annual revenue. The law also covers imagery, audio, and data collected by drones. Landowners now have legal grounds to challenge unauthorized drone use. They can also ask the court for a temporary injunction to stop repeat violations. This bill gives landowners more control over their airspace and digital property. It makes Iowa one of the most protective states for regulating drone activity over active farmland. Why This Matters for You: Drone flights are now subject to stricter rules when operating near active farmsteads in Iowa. That means real estate photographers, land managers, wildlife surveyors, and crop consultants must take extra care to stay compliant. Always get written permission from the landowner before launching a drone over farmland. This applies even if you’re only capturing video, images, or data for scouting, listings, or monitoring purposes. Violating this law can result in legal action, including court-ordered restrictions and possible penalties. This change underscores the growing importance of digital property rights in rural land use. "I think overall this bill being passed is a great peace of mind for landowners, and especially our farmers. Technology is forever advancing. This provides added protection for your herd or your equipment on the farm from curious neighbors—allowing you to defend your farm and your belongings in the airspace above too.” – Tristin Williams , Media Creator & Iowa Land Salesperson, LandGuys Whether you’re filming a listing, checking crop health, or surveying deer movement, respect landowner boundaries—not just on the ground, but in the air too. Read the full SF 491 bill here #2 - New Iowa Law Excludes Discount Points and Some Closing Costs from Land Loan APR Calculations Senate File 398 changes how Iowa classifies closing costs on land loans. Previously, certain fees were considered “finance charges” under Iowa’s consumer credit laws, which could raise the disclosed APR. Now, many of those charges—including discount points used to lower the interest rate—are excluded from finance charge calculations. This change applies only to consumer loans secured by land that are originated by mortgage bankers licensed or registered under Iowa Code chapter 535B. Additionally, total points, fees, and APR must stay within limits set by federal regulations under 12 C.F.R. §1026.43(e). As a result, APR disclosures on eligible land loans may appear more favorable, even though the actual dollar amounts may remain unchanged. This update could improve the competitiveness of land loan products in Iowa’s rural real estate market. Why This Matters for You: If you’re buying, investing in, or lending on land, this change can make loan APRs look better on paper, potentially making financing more attractive or easier to compare. It’s smart to review your loan terms and disclosures with your lender to understand how this update might affect your deals. "Omitting certain closing costs and discount points from consumers' finance charge calculations allows borrowers to more accurately compare products. This will ensure they can better evaluate pricing scenarios and choose what’s best for their financial picture when buying land.” – David Little , Iowa Land Salesperson, LandGuys  Read SF 398 in full #3 - Youth Deer Hunting Licenses Expand to All Seasons Senate File 423 significantly expands how youth deer hunting licenses can be used in Iowa. These licenses are now valid across all established deer seasons, rather than being limited to a specific timeframe. Hunters may use the license and tag during any regular season, applying any legal method of take allowed for that season. However, once the tag is filled, the license is no longer valid for future use. This change gives youth hunters greater flexibility, while still adhering to standard harvest limits. The law also updates Iowa DNR’s deer depredation permit criteria. Landowners who suffer $1,000 or more in damage caused by deer—including loss to crops, horticultural products, trees, or nursery stock—can now apply for a depredation permit. This allows more affected landowners to seek relief in high-pressure areas. Why This Matters for You: If you manage hunting leases or farmland, this law provides youth hunters with greater flexibility to hunt during all deer seasons. This can help increase youth participation and better distribute hunting activity throughout the year. The updated depredation permit criteria also gives landowners more tools to manage deer-related damage. That means more control over wildlife pressure on your property and better protection for crops and trees. "I’m really encouraged by Iowa’s decision to expand youth deer hunting licenses to all seasons. Giving young hunters more flexibility to get out there, on their schedule and with legal methods for any season, is a great way to build confidence, skills, and a lifelong respect for the outdoors.” – Danny Fane , Iowa Managing Broker, LandGuys "Extracurricular activities and social commitments are at an all-time high. The importance of ample time to get kids in the field can only strengthen our youth participation in the outdoors and build Iowa's hunting population for years to come.” – David Little , Iowa Land Salesperson, LandGuys "I am super excited for this law coming into place this year. Our youth is the future of our sport and this will most definitely create higher success rates for harvesting these young folks’ first deer to create memories that last a lifetime” – Tristin Williams , Media Creator & Iowa Land Salesperson, LandGuys View SF 423 legislation details #4 - Expanded Hunting Access for Disabled Veterans in Iowa House File 885 expands access for disabled veterans in Iowa. Qualifying residents can now use a deer hunting license and tag during any established season, using the legal method of take for that season. This license can be issued in addition to other deer licenses the hunter is eligible for. To apply, veterans must provide documentation confirming Iowa residency and a service-connected disability, verified through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The law also increases the number of nonresident hunting licenses available to disabled veterans. Iowa will now reserve 125 wild turkey licenses and 75 deer licenses each year specifically for disabled nonresident veterans to take part in organized hunts across the state. Why This Matters for You: This law expands hunting opportunities for disabled veterans, giving them more flexibility and access. It also benefits outfitters and landowners who support veteran hunting programs by broadening participation and creating new partnership opportunities. "I absolutely love what Iowa is doing with House File 885, this is a huge step forward in making the outdoors more accessible for our disabled veterans. These hunts aren’t just about deer or turkey, they’re about connection, healing, and giving back to those who’ve given so much.” – Danny Fane , Iowa Managing Broker, LandGuys  Access HF 885 language here What It Means for Landowners and Buyers Whether you’re buying a farm, managing deer pressure on your property, or planning drone footage for a listing, these new laws will change how you operate. Iowa’s rural land policies continue to evolve—and staying informed is part of protecting your investment. At LandGuys, we work at the intersection of land, law, and legacy. These aren’t just rule changes—they’re real-world shifts that affect the way you hunt, farm, lease, or buy. Need help understanding how these changes apply to your property or next move? Contact your Iowa LandGuys team. We’ll talk through it with you, one field at a time. LandGuys and its brokers are not licensed attorneys in Iowa and do not provide legal advice. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal counsel. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney or legal professional.

A Life Built on Grit Most people don’t walk away from a successful business they helped build from the ground up. But I’m not most people—and I’ve never really followed a typical path. I’m Wisconsin land agent Derrick Backaus, and before I helped clients buy and sell rural property, I spent over 30 years in the stainless steel fabrication industry—learning every aspect of the business from welding to management, sales to engineering. That company was part of my family. We built it together from the ground up, eventually employing over 50 people. I thought I’d be there forever. But life had other plans. Turning Point In 2017, everything changed. My wife was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma after months of unanswered health issues. Around the same time, my sister-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. She passed away just a few years later. And then I lost my mom to Lewy Body Dementia. I was spending more time in hospitals than boardrooms—and for the first time in my life, I started asking myself if I was really where I was meant to be. It tested my faith. It challenged everything I thought I knew about success. As my wife started her treatments, it was clear to me that family life was more precious than business life. It took her multiple years to “ring the bell” and hear the words your cancer is inactive. It was at this point we made the decision to sell our family business. I stepped away, unsure of what would come next—but fully certain that it needed to be rooted in purpose. Purpose, for me, was back to basics of serving customers not only on a business level but more on a personal level. Back to the Land, Back to Myself Even during my years in business, I was never far from the dirt. I’ve bought and transformed raw acreage into wildlife habitat, restored ponds, built food plots, planted orchards, and even launched a hemp farm to produce CBD oil through my business, DAB Hemp Farm LLC. These endeavors kept me grounded in so many ways. I saw some failures along the way, but those failures taught me to keep trying to get it. I know what it means to invest in land with your own hands, and I’ve seen what a property can become with the right care and vision. Today, I live in Trempealeau County, surrounded by apple trees, whitetails, agricultural fields, and grandkids who love to sit in the stand with me. I love to show my grandkids the true value of the outdoors. It warms my heart, that they love to be outside shooting bow, casting a line or sitting in the tractor. My dad once told me something I’ll never forget: “Son, invest in land because God isn’t making any more.” He was right. That simple advice shaped how I live, how I invest, and how I help others see the true value of the land beneath their feet. That value comes in many shapes and forms.  For some, it’s truly investing of dollars but for others it’s a passion that brings more value than money could ever buy. Why I Do This Now When I found LandGuys, it wasn’t just another brokerage—it was a team built on values I recognized. People who understand that land isn’t just bought or sold—it’s passed on. The property I now farm, hunt, fish, and live on was one couple’s dream meant to be passed on.  That dream was carried on when my family showed up with three daughters who all fell in love with their property.  It wasn’t just a sale; it was a vision carried on by the next generation.  With over 30 years of experience serving people in business, community service, and land management, I now get to guide clients through some of the most meaningful transactions of their lives. Whether you’re buying your first hunting property or preparing to sell a piece of land your family has owned for generations—I understand the weight of that decision. This isn’t just a job for me. It’s a second chapter. One I didn’t expect, but one I’m grateful for every day. Let’s Walk it Together If you’re looking for a land agent who’s been in the field, on the tractor, and around the table for tough decisions—I’d be honored to walk that path with you. Let’s talk about where you are and where you want to go next. Contact me Derrick Backaus, Wisconsin land agent, today or follow me on Facebook.

17 Years of LandGuys: Every Piece of Land Tells a Story—Here’s Ours Seventeen years ago, LandGuys was built on a simple truth: land isn’t just a transaction—it’s a legacy. The LandGuys rural land story began with that belief and continues to grow with every property we walk, every client we serve, and every story we help tell. What began as a working relationship between Scott Whittington and Toby Stay—broker and outfitter—soon became the foundation of something bigger. Scott was a broker for Cabela's Properties in Springfield, and Toby was the local expert he always called. Eventually, Scott picked up the phone with a new kind of pitch: “I’m starting my own real estate company. Come build it with me.” Since then, LandGuys has believed in telling the stories behind the properties, the people, and the places that make rural life so meaningful. What started with a few agents who shared a passion for hunting, farming, and the outdoors has grown into a trusted team serving clients across Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. And while a lot has changed over the past 17 years—markets, technology, and even the landscape itself—our mission has remained the same: to help buyers and sellers connect with land that fits their goals, honors their lifestyle, and tells their story. Built by Landowners, For Landowners LandGuys wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was built in the field, in the timber, on CRP ground, and down gravel roads. Scott didn’t set out with a grand business plan. He just knew he wanted to be in the rural real estate space—serving the kind of people he already knew and respected. “I was living in a rural area, making friends with farmers, and I was intrigued by the idea of land as an investment—something you could enjoy, grow crops on, and see real return.” That curiosity grew into passion, especially as Scott found more ways to connect buyers with sellers and see the value in better marketing rural properties. A Team That Believed in the Vision As LandGuys grew, it attracted like-minded individuals like Don Wagner — similar to Toby, Don was also going through the buying and selling process. Toby had now started the licensing process and Don was considering it too. They were managing land, working in the outdoors, and seeing the gaps in how rural properties were handled. Eventually, both joined the LandGuys team. Don even sold his business and moved to a brand-new area—without a single listing—just belief in the mission. “There was a lot of trial and error in those days,” Don says. “But we all had the same values—integrity and doing what’s best for the client. That’s what built the foundation.” Innovation From Day One “When I started with LandGuys, Scott had a clear vision of how we wanted to shape the company's visual presence,” Don said. That meant being first-to-market with drone footage, immersive listing videos, and cutting-edge marketing. “We crashed more drones than we flew,” Don said, “but we learned. And I really believe we were the first in the market with this kind of visual marketing.” Today, LandGuys still leads the industry with: 4K drone video Award-winning, high-quality photography SEO and digital strategy for listing visibility Creative storytelling and targeted marketing More Than a Brokerage—A Culture of Trust Scott built LandGuys to be more than just a brokerage. He recognized early that rural real estate needed a new kind of approach—one rooted in innovation and relationships. His belief that every client should feel heard and valued shaped a company culture that still defines LandGuys today. It’s not about one transaction—it’s about a lifetime of land. Helping Clients Build Legacies At LandGuys, we don’t just help people buy or sell land—we guide them through some of the biggest decisions of their lives. Whether it’s a hunting retreat, generational farm, or ag investment, we highlight the beauty, potential, and future each property holds. Our passion for rural life is reflected in how we approach every listing—with care, creativity, and a commitment to real results. Thank You for 17 Years We’re grateful for the people who shaped this story: Our clients, who trusted us with their land and their legacy. The LandGuys team, whose grit, heart, and dedication brought this vision to life. And Scott Whittington, whose leadership and leap of faith started it all. The LandGuys Rural Land Story Isn’t Over Seventeen years in, we’re just getting started. We’re growing. We’re innovating. And we’re still walking the fields, sitting at kitchen tables, and telling the stories that matter most. Every piece of land tells a story. Let LandGuys help tell yours. Contact a LandGuys broker today and stay connected with us on social media.