I would agree. Going through a leasing agent is going to be the most expensive way. If you can lease directly from the landowner I think your prices would be lower.

My goal also is to buy some land. I'm hoping I can do thiswithin the next 5 years, but the land prices are high and it's going to be hard to afford a decent sized piece.There's 77 acres for sale in Bureau county (which is only a couple of hours from chicago) and they are asking $5500 and acre and most of it is timber! I hope the prices of land in Illinois have topped out. They seem cheaper this year than last, so hopefully the downturn will continue. At those prices though, I will probably have to buy in southern Illinois to be able to afford it. I love it in southern Illinois, but the drive is long.

I hope you get that land some day too.