RFB11192026 Lease of Agriculture Land Ballard Co Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Division of Real Properties, on behalf of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, is soliciting bids under RFB 785 2700000195 (RFB11192026) to lease 1,101 acres of agricultural land at the Ballard Wildlife Management Area in La Center, Ballard County, Kentucky. Bids are due November 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET at the Division of Real Properties in Frankfort. Online bidding is prohibited.

Bidders must submit a cash bid per acre on the provided bid form for the full row-crop acreage, with a $100 per acre minimum and a $100 good-faith deposit. The lessee manages 33 fields for soybeans and yellow corn, or alternative crops approved by the supervising biologist, and must follow no-till or minimal-till methods, conduct soil tests in years two and four, and comply with habitat designations and crop patterns set by the supervising biologist. The Department may withdraw acreage for wildlife habitat management.

Rent is based on GPS-verified planted acreage. The lessee pays a 10% spring deposit and posts a security bond for the remaining 90%, with final payment due December 1 each contract year. The lessee must also provide, up to $60,000 in white rock for road maintenance, up to $20,000 in browse and food plot seed, up to $50,000 in chemical, fertilizer, and application services, and up to $25,000 in heavy equipment services, with an additional $25,000 reallocated by the supervising biologist. These costs are deducted from the final payment. Required insurance includes $1 million combined single limit liability and casualty coverage at full replacement value. Rental rates remain firm for all five years.

The initial lease term is one year, renewable for up to four additional years, with renewal periods between February 1 and 15. The crop year runs March 15 through November 1. The solicitation is classified under Commodity Code 971 (Real Property Rental or Lease). Kelly Hawkins at 502-229-4366 is the listed contact.