7 Business Ideas To Put Unwanted Land To Use..

7 Low-Risk Land Investment Strategies That Could Generate Thousands Monthly

 

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own slice of land? A place to escape when the world gets chaotic, yet still generates income when you're not there? Most people assume land ownership requires hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars. But what if that assumption is wrong?

What if, for just a few thousand dollars and some creative financing, you could buy land, earn significant cash, and even get others to help pay for it? Let me show you how this is entirely possible.

The Hidden Opportunity in Land Investment

My friend Kate discovered this opportunity early. She purchased a piece of land near Joshua Tree for just 10,000 (yes, incredibly affordable) and transformed it into a low-maintenance business using platforms like HipCamp. Within her first 90 days, she was already earning 1,500 monthly—with projections for much more.

Inspired by Kate's success, I decided to purchase my own piece of land in Oklahoma. However, the market in 2024 is different from when Kate started her business, so her exact approach wouldn't work today. That's why I've researched the seven best ways to generate cash flow from land ownership in today's economy.

Why Consider Investing in Farmland?

Before diving into specific strategies, let's understand why farmland makes an attractive investment:

Low volatility: U.S. farmland returns have averaged 11.5% annually since 1990, with consistently lower volatility and almost no correlation to stocks.

Generational transfer: Approximately $24 trillion in farming assets (land, barns, equipment) will change hands over the next 20 years. With the average American farmer being 60 years old, many are retiring without successors.

Potential bargains: Some farmlands come with debt, and owners are looking for solutions to transition into retirement.

I recently purchased 60 acres for 292,000, putting down just 10% with a land loan that costs about 1,900 monthly. This approach is more accessible than many realize.

7 Ways to Generate Income from Your Land

From the most affordable (but lowest return) to the more substantial investments (with higher returns), here are seven strategies to make your land work for you:

1. Hunting Leases

This is perhaps the most passive option for landowners.

How it works:

Allow hunters to use your private land for deer, duck, turkey, or other game hunting

Lease rates range from 10 to 300 per acre depending on location and quality

For a 100-acre property at 10/acre, you could earn 1,000 annually

Seasonal leases can stack (deer + duck season = 2x income)

Price factors:

Land known for big deer commands premium rates

Multiple game options (deer + turkey + quail + waterfowl) increase value

Adding amenities like lodging or water features boosts income potential

Real example: A 320-acre property in Woodward County, Oklahoma generates $4,200 annually from hunting leases.

2. Egg Farming

With egg prices up 86% since early 2024 (reaching $3 per dozen), egg farming presents an attractive opportunity.

Startup costs:

$15,000 for a medium-sized chicken coop

5-15 per chicken for 500 hens = 2,500-$7,500

$500-1,000 monthly for feed

$20,000 for initial setup and equipment

Potential revenue:

500 hens producing 200-300 eggs each annually = 125,000 eggs

At 2 per dozen = approximately 20,000 yearly

Selling at farmers' markets can fetch premium prices

You could start smaller or consider leasing your land to someone who wants to operate an egg farm.

3. Equipment Rental and Storage

Unused flat land can become profitable storage for agricultural machinery.

The opportunity:

Farmers need seasonal storage for equipment

Local, affordable options are always in demand

Charge $50-200 monthly per piece of equipment

Revenue calculation:

5,000 sq ft of storage space

Average $100/month per equipment piece

Space for 50 pieces (100 sq ft each)

Potential monthly revenue: 5,000 (60,000 annually)

For even greater returns, consider not just storing but renting out equipment, which can generate $500-2,000 per day per piece.

4. Goat Farming

Goat farming offers multiple revenue streams from a single operation.

Startup requirements:

$100-800 per registered breeding goat

Up to $1,200 for specialized milking or meat-producing goats

Initial herd: one male buck and several does

Basic infrastructure: barn/shed and goat-proof fencing

Milking equipment: approximately $1,500

Revenue streams:

Breeding and selling goats

Selling goat milk (premium product)

Renting goats for land clearing services

Harvesting goat fiber (sheared twice yearly)

Creating value-added products (soap, shampoo, cheese)

Financial breakdown (15-goat operation):

Initial investment: $15,000 (goats, infrastructure, feed)

Annual costs: 13,500 (900 per goat) plus $5,000 operational expenses

Annual revenue potential: $45,000 from milk, soap, cheese sales

Estimated profit: $15,000-20,000

5. Orchards

Oklahoma is known for its peaches, making an orchard an attractive long-term investment.

Startup costs:

Tree saplings: 10-20 each (500 trees for 5 acres = 5,000-10,000)

Equipment (irrigation, tractors, sprayers): $20,000

Soil preparation, fencing, fertilizers: $5,000

Total initial investment: approximately $30,000-75,000

While this requires significant upfront work (planting, irrigating, fencing, pruning), once established, an orchard becomes a decades-long asset. A mature orchard can generate approximately $60,000 annually just from fruit sales.

Case study: My friend Isaac transformed barren land into a biodiverse orchard with 50 different fruit varieties. Starting with 207 saplings in January 2023, his trees have tripled in size each year and are now bearing their first fruits. These trees should produce for 20-50 years.

6. Barndominium Events Venue

If your land includes an old barn or you're willing to build one, event hosting can be extremely profitable.

The opportunity:

Transform an existing structure into a charming venue

Host weddings, corporate retreats, and special events

Wedding venues in Oklahoma typically charge $3,000-8,000 per event

Revenue potential:

20-30 weddings annually at an average $5,000 per event

$100,000-150,000 gross revenue

Additional income from bridal showers, engagement photo shoots

Approximately 30% profit margin ($30,000-45,000)

Case study: My friend Isaac converted an abandoned timber-frame barn into "Morning Glory Farm," now a sought-after wedding venue.

7. Automated Vacation Rental Properties

For the highest returns, consider building small rental cabins on your property.

Smart automation:

Automated lighting, door locks, thermostats

Digital check-in systems with unique door codes

Project management systems for cleaning and maintenance

Operational costs:

150/week for message monitoring (7,800 annually)

200/week for maintenance (10,400 annually)

$95-150 per cleaning

Total management costs: approximately $25,000 annually

With proper automation, this option can generate several hundred thousand dollars annually while requiring minimal hands-on management.

More Than Just Money

In a world growing increasingly complex, owning a piece of land isn't just about financial return. It's about creating something lasting, having a place to escape to, and perhaps leaving a legacy.

The United States has 2.4 billion acres of landscape waiting to be explored. Owning even a small portion offers both financial opportunity and personal fulfillment—a chance to get your hands dirty while building something meaningful for the future.