The Situation

Fred and Ethel Baskin are successful and well-informed producers/farmers in south central Nebraska. Both Fred and his wife have had enough of the winter in Nebraska and would like to retire in Alabama where their children live (see map below).

**National Atlas of the United States showing the state of Nebraska and Alabama.** *Image courtesy of http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/Natlasstart.asp*

Fred and his wife have farmed on 1,200 hectares (500 acres) in south central Nebraska for the last 30 years (see Nebraska map below). They have been growing field corn, sorghum, soybean and winter wheat. Financially, the Baskin's have done well and now nearing retirement age, they would like to be near their children and grandchildren in west central Alabama, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Montgomery (see Alabama map below). The Baskins would like to continue producing food when they retire in Alabama, so they are exploring the possibility of purchasing farmland. However, before they can make this investment, they would like to get some comparative information so they can confidently make this retirement & land investment in Alabama.