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.
