Online Auction

The online auction will begin on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 8:00 AM. Bidding will close on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

Farmers National Company, in collaboration with American Forest Management/AFM Real Estate, is delighted to present this exclusive collection of walnut plantation properties. Spanning nearly 2,000 acres, these meticulously managed investments are situated in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, providing a unique opportunity for all potential buyers. Offered in 13 individual tracts, these properties cater to diverse preferences, whether you seek world class whitetail deer hunting, a legacy timber asset with the potential for substantial appreciation over time, or conversion back to crop production. They are the ideal addition to any portfolio! 

Property Information  

Timber Investment Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a prized hardwood native to the central U.S., thriving in the alluvial soils of river valleys from the Dakotas to North Carolina. Renowned for its veneer-quality timber and appearance grade uses in wood working, black walnut is increasingly scarce, driving both demand and value. In response, forestry professionals have developed targeted propagation and management practices to enhance growth and shorten rotation lengths. Since 2009, American Forest Management (AFM) has managed thousands of acres of black walnut plantations for The Rohatyn Group (TRG) across Illinois and Iowa. These sites were planted using elite cultivars developed by Purdue University, bred specifically for veneer-grade timber. Silvicultural practices—including pre-commercial thinning, pruning, and fertilization—have resulted in vigorous growth, with many trees averaging 0.5–0.75 inches of diameter growth annually. AFM monitors progress through permanent forest inventory plots, with projections indicating sawtimber availability within 10–15 years. 

Recreation The properties are situated in the heart of the Midwest’s trophy whitetail belt—spanning parts of western Illinois and southeastern Iowa, which are nationally known for producing record-class deer. The landscape’s fertile soils, these property’s diverse cover, and ample crops in the area as a food source, support strong antler growth and mature age classes. Surrounding row crop agriculture and hardwood timber blocks create ideal edge habitat, create high recreational values for these properties. 

Farming Beyond timber, these plantations also hold potential for conversion back to crops. Much of this land was historically in corn and soybean production, and the underlying soils remain highly productive. With clearing and preparation, these tracts could be transitioned back into intensive agriculture, offering flexibility in future land uses.