RFB11202026 Lease of Agriculture Land Carlisle Co Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Division of Real Properties, is soliciting cash-rent bids under RFB11202026 for a five-year lease of approximately 502 acres of agricultural land at the Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area in Carlisle County, Kentucky, on behalf of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Bid opening is November 30, 2026 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Bids are submitted per planted acre for the entire acreage as one package, and each bid must include a $100 good faith deposit payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, which is forfeited on withdrawal.

The lease covers the 2027 through 2031 crop years, structured as annual one-year contracts with four successive one-year renewals. Renewals occur between February 1 and 15 each year, and the crop year runs March 15 to November 15. The lessee must plant and leave standing 70 acres of yellow corn annually for wildlife, grown to a minimum yield of 125 bushels per acre at the lessee's expense. The lessee must also provide $70,000 of annual in-kind services, such as water well repairs, equipment upgrades, gravel application to roads, or herbicide application at rates specified in the bid package. The lessee assumes all flooding and natural disaster risk and must comply with conservation plans, soil testing and fertilization requirements, tillage practices, riparian buffer zones, and herbicide restrictions. The Commonwealth retains hunting, trapping, and fishing rights and access for wildlife management and public recreation.

Cash rent is due within 10 days after the sale of all crops each year, with a three percent late charge if payment is late. The lease may be terminated for default with 30 days' notice to cure, or cancelled without cause by either party on 30 days' written notice. Bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect the property before bidding. The bid package and DTWMA 2027-31 field maps are attached to the opportunity. Online bidding is prohibited, and inquiries go to Kelly Hawkins at 502-229-4366. Bids are delivered to the Division of Real Properties, State Properties Branch, Bush Building, 3rd Floor, 403 Wapping Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-2607.