Acquiring land in Southwestern Ontario

Hi, like so many, I am having trouble acquiring land. Here is what I am looking for, 20-30 acres for pastured hogs with a house and barn. Long term vision would be to turn it into a silvopasture.

Restrictions: I have 2 kids in school and I am unwilling to move them. We need to find a place within 15 km +/- from New Hamburg (near Kitchener). Our budget to purchase is $650,000 or to rent at $2200/month plus utilities.

Whats available? Farms around 100 - 200 acres from $1,500,000 and up or smaller "hobby farms" with big houses starting in the mid $800,000's.

Solution: I think the ideal solution would be to form a partnership with another farmer(s) to buy one of the 100 acre + farms. I am talking to a farmer friend who is thinking of buying another farm, he doesn't want the house and barn, so we are exploring the idea of buying a 100 acre farm together. He will put in $X to buy his shares which will get him access to ~75 acres of the crop land and our share will get us access to the buildings and ~ 25 acres. However, I am not sure if he is ready to move on the deal.

Question: Is there anybody in the permie world looking for land near me and willing to invest as a partner? What would you be looking for (land, buildings etc) and what is your budget? Does anybody have experience doing this? What are the pitfalls?

Hi Rob, I've added your post to 'permaculture real estate'. Hope this helps get a response...

Thanks Judith!👍

Cost is a major obstacle is Southern Ontario especially!! Even as you head north it still can be quite expensive. Realtors have also created this telling sellers an acre is worth $10,000 to 30,000. Even the Ministry of Ag says a forested or hay producing acre is no more than $1000/acre. Other cash crops have more value per acre. I don't get why some over pay?? It's like all those people that buy homes $100,000 or more over ask!! Just ridiculous.

I hope you have found someone but many farms and CSA's in my area have failed as they way overpaid for the property and now can not cover the mortgage. I feel bad for them!!