Peoples Company Enhances Market Position with Murray Wise Associates Acquisition

Peoples Company Strengthens Its Position with Acquisition of Murray Wise Associates

Peoples Company, a leading name in integrated land management, has recently announced its acquisition of Murray Wise Associates, LLC (MWA) from Farmland Partners Inc. Set to take effect on November 15, 2025, this acquisition is aimed at transitioning specific non-core farmland assets to the management of Peoples Company. With this strategic move, the company seeks to enhance its operational efficiency and improve returns alike in the agricultural sector.

In an evolving landscape of agricultural management, this acquisition highlights a remarkable trend: more institutional and asset management companies are collaborating with specialized farm management firms. These partnerships are designed to maximize operational efficiency and deliver better returns for investors. With a robust national presence and an impressive track record in farmland management, Peoples Company is well-equipped to capitalize on these emerging opportunities.

Steve Bruere, the President of Peoples Company, commented, “Murray Wise Associates has been viewed as a trusted authority in farmland auctions and brokerage. This acquisition not only solidifies our foothold in crucial agricultural markets but also demonstrates a wider shift towards the use of specialized skills in farm management. We are thrilled to welcome the Murray Wise team onto our platform as we continue to provide exceptional value to our clients.”

Founded by Murray Wise, MWA has established itself as a frontrunner in farmland sales and brokerage services, completing transactions exceeding $5 billion across 43 states over the last 25 years. The integration of MWA into Peoples Company will create opportunities to expand their service offerings while maintaining both firms' commitment to high standards of integrity and professionalism.

MWA currently has operations in 20 states and maintains offices in several key locations, including Bloomington and Champaign, Illinois, as well as Clarion, Iowa. Nine members from the Murray Wise team will transition to Peoples Company, with key leader Eric Sarff stepping into the role of Vice President at Peoples Company. In this capacity, he will play a vital part in driving the strategy and execution of services across the company.

Eric Sarff stated, “Uniting with Peoples Company opens up remarkable prospects for our clients and our team. Their extensive national reach and comprehensive service platform will allow us to enhance value while still delivering the personalized service that our clients cherish.”

Prior to this acquisition, Farmland Partners Inc. acquired MWA in November 2021, significantly boosting their asset management portfolio at that time. Luca Fabbri, President, and CEO of Farmland Partners expressed his excitement about the transition, acknowledging the talented team at MWA and their contributions over the past four years in growing the management platform. He noted the prospects for future collaboration under the Peoples Company umbrella, emphasizing the potential for growth with the cutting-edge technology that Peoples Company offers.

Headquartered in Clive, Iowa, Peoples Company provides extensive agricultural land services, offering solutions in land brokerage, appraisal, and energy management, alongside crop insurance and capital market services to landowners and investors. The recent acquisition of MWA, along with Peoples Company's past acquisitions like Land Pro LLC and The Atkins Group, positions the firm as a major player in the Illinois farmland market. This strategic acquisition not only bolsters their market presence but also underscores their commitment to collaboration, innovation, and delivering value in agricultural management.

For more details about Peoples Company and their range of services, visit www.PeoplesCompany.com.