Buying land? Skip the septic due diligence and you could light $30,000–$40,000 on fire.

We cut through the hype on septic vs. sewer, conventional (non‑engineered) vs. engineered systems, and the real drivers of cost: soil texture, seasonal high water table/zone of saturation, space constraints, topography, and bedroom count. You’ll get a straight answer on the “perc (perk) test” vs. soil test debate (hint: in South Carolina it’s a soil classification that matters), plus what actually happens in the drain field, how septic tanks work, and the maintenance that keeps systems from failing.

What you’ll learn (without the sales pitch):

When a lot truly supports a conventional drain field and when you’ll need an engineered/pre‑treatment system—and why engineered isn’t “bad,” it’s just different.

Budgeting that doesn’t blow up: why a soil test before closing protects you from $30k–$40k surprises; typical pump‑out costs (~$500 every 3–5 years); realistic lifespans (conventional ~30–50 years; treatment systems ~20–30 years).

How bedroom count dictates system size (plan for more bedrooms now; you can scale down later) and the regulatory planning number of ~120 gallons/day per bedroom.

Mounded fill vs. pre‑treatment: footprint trade‑offs, aesthetics, and costs in shallow‑groundwater or poor‑soil scenarios.

Wetlands & permits: when you cannot place a system without a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland fill permit; why setbacks and space—not just acreage—often control feasibility.

Common failure points (and how to avoid them): solids getting past the tank, flushing the wrong materials, vacation‑rental usage spikes (barrier‑island problem), and ignoring annual service on advanced treatment units.

Replacement realities & regulations: why many replacements are treated as repairs (SC context) and when a new soil look makes sense on older systems.

Who this episode is for: land buyers and sellers, agents, builders, homesteaders, developers, investors—anyone evaluating buildable acreage without municipal sewer.

Guests:

Tyler Sgro, President & CEO, Davis Horizons — a tech‑forward soil services firm operating statewide in South Carolina.

Robert Waddell, National Land Realty — 14 years in land sales with a focus on contract contingencies that actually protect buyers.

Bottom line: If septic feasibility isn’t a top contract contingency, you’re gambling with your buildability, your budget, and your timeline.

Davis Horizons Website

https://www.davishorizons.com/

National Land Realty

https://www.nationalland.com

Are you a landowner preparing to sell your property—or a land agent looking to offer clients smarter exit strategies?

In this episode of The National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Chad Ettmueller, Senior Vice President at JCR Settlements, to break down a powerful—but often overlooked—tool for land sellers: Structured Installment Sales under IRS Section 453.

Whether you're retiring from agriculture, offloading inherited land, or just looking to lock in current market highs, this episode will show you how to defer capital gains taxes, create guaranteed income streams, and even build multi-generational wealth using your land sale proceeds.

How structured installment sales work—and how they differ from traditional annuities

Ways to defer capital gains taxes legally and effectively at the time of sale

Why sellers are using these tools to avoid lump-sum windfalls and secure long-term financial stability

Flexible strategies for combining structured sales with 1031 exchanges

Options for index-linked growth using S&P, NASDAQ, and Franklin Templeton indexes

Real-world examples of landowners increasing value over time

Use cases for land-rich, cash-poor sellers in farming, ranching, and inherited land scenarios

This episode is a must-listen for:

Landowners selling real estate or farmland

Real estate agents and brokers advising high-net-worth clients

Retiring farmers or ranchers seeking secure income

Heirs and beneficiaries planning for wealth transfer or college funding

Don't sell land without hearing this first. Whether you’re liquidating for lifestyle reasons or just want a better tax strategy, structured installment sales could be your most powerful tool.

Visit JCR Settlements to learn more about Structured Installment Sales

https://www.jcrsettlements.com/installment-sales

Visit National Land Realty if you are interested in buying, selling, leasing, or auctioning land. 

https://www.nationalland.com 

Wildfire seasons are no longer seasonal; they’re year-round. In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian is joined by wildfire operations expert Terry Severson to dissect the catastrophic wildfire crisis gripping the West Coast. From California’s explosive wildfires to Oregon’s yearly burn cycles, they expose the uncomfortable truths behind fire mismanagement, fire exclusion policies, and why prescribed burns are both a solution and a risk.

Severson, a veteran of federal fire management and international fire strategy, breaks down:

Why California wildfires keep getting worse

How 100+ years of fire suppression led to today's megafires

Why fire crews are underfunded and under fire, literally

The role of climate change in fire seasons that never end

How public resistance to smoke and land ordinances is fueling the problem

The terrifying reality of crown fires and fire-generated weather systems

Why invasive species like cheatgrass are making wildfires unmanageable

This is essential listening for anyone living in wildfire zones, looking for land for sale in California or Oregon, or trying to understand the truth about wildland fire science and policy.

National Interagency Fire Center

https://www.nifc.gov/

Track wildfires near you

https://app.watchduty.org

Start your land journey. Buy, sell, lease, or auction land. 

https://www.nationalland.com 

In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Samuel Seeton, founder and CEO of Infinite Outdoors, to talk about a game-changing platform for rural landowners and DIY hunters alike.

We dive into how Samuel’s experience growing up on Colorado ranchland and navigating bad outfitter leases inspired a tech-forward solution to a very old problem: how to monetize rural land for recreational use without sacrificing conservation values or landowner control.

If you're a private landowner, you'll learn how to:

Generate 5x more income than traditional outfitter leases by offering short-term DIY hunting and fishing access.

Maintain full control of your property with calendar management, automated enforcement, and zero direct communication required with hunters.

Partner with professional biologists to set sustainable harvest limits and enhance wildlife habitat through data-backed conservation.

Tap into programs like Access Granted, which pays landowners for allowing pass-through to public land while maintaining privacy and control.

We also unpack:

Why the DIY hunting community is exploding, and how Infinite Outdoors matches their needs with private access.

How the platform protects landowners via background checks, harvest reporting, and infractions enforcement.

The financial reality of leasing vs Infinite Outdoors: one ranch went from earning $5,000 to $20,000 per year without giving up access or stewardship.

Whether you’re a land investor, ranch owner, outdoor entrepreneur, or a wildlife-minded hunter, this episode delivers real-world insight into the future of land access, conservation-based profit models, and rural tech innovation.

Infinite Outdoors

https://infiniteoutdoorsusa.com/

National Land Realty

https://www.nationalland.com

In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Richard Cook and Madison Durkin of Ag Lending Group, a Phoenix-based agricultural lending firm with deep roots in farming and finance. From surviving debt during the Carter-era interest rate hikes to advising distressed ranchers across the country, Richard shares the hard-earned wisdom behind the group's mission: flexible, relationship-driven lending for real ag operations.

Madison discusses generational land transitions, the power of advisory lending, and how their firm helps clients build a future on rural land, whether they're inheriting the family farm, launching a hobby orchard, or saving a multi-state cattle operation. Their motto, "No suits, no ties, no lies," isn't just a slogan; it's a business model that favors integrity, grit, and practical know-how over polished sales pitches.

They discuss:

How A Lending Group started from farming roots

What differentiates their lending approach from banks and private equity

Stories of saving struggling operations from foreclosure

How they structure ag land loans and what flexibility really means

The rise of inherited farmland and how it works with the next generation

National lending reach, with clients from California to the Carolinas

Why they only get paid if they close the deal

Whether you're running a dairy, managing inherited land, or financing your dream orchard, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and real-world stories from the frontlines of ag lending.

Contact the Ag Lending Group

https://www.aglendinggroup.com/

Buy, Sell, Lease, or Auction Land

https://www.nationalland.com 

In this episode, Mac Christian sits down with Erik Gillam, CPA and Agriculture Practice Leader at Aldrich Advisors, to unpack the complex (and often overlooked) financial and accounting challenges facing modern agricultural operations.

Whether you're running a family farm, overseeing a multi-million-dollar ag enterprise, or advising landowners on succession planning, this episode is packed with actionable insights on tax strategy, cash flow, entity structure, audits, bonus depreciation, and ag-specific accounting tactics.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

When and why mid-to-large ag operations need a CPA who understands production agriculture

The truth about bonus depreciation in 2025 (and how to leverage ag buildings and equipment)

How cash-basis tax accounting can kill your loan approval

Strategies for farm business transitions (multi-generation family farms)

The hidden value of inventory and how to prove it to banks

Audit vs. review vs. compilation — and which one your farm may need

Depreciable assets, soil fertility deductions, and tax Code 180

Real talk on CPAs, co-ops, and why most farmers outgrow “mom-and-pop” accountants

Guest: Erik Gillam, Aldrich CPA + Advisors

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In this episode of the National Land Podcast, Mac Christian sits down with Chris Clayton, Ag Policy Editor for Progressive Farmer (DTN), to dig deep into the policy issues shaking up American agriculture. From USDA loan oversight to immigration raids on farms, and the trade standoff with China, this is a must-listen for anyone in land real estate, farming, or ag policy.

TOPICS COVERED:

USDA & FSA loan policy changes (>$400K scrutiny by DOGE)

Lack of transparency in farm data sharing (“super database” concerns)

Foreign land ownership: China, Syngenta, and military proximity issues

Immigration enforcement & H-2A labor cost crisis

ICE raids' ripple effects on agriculture, hospitality, and meatpacking

Farm Bill vs. “Big Beautiful Bill”: what's funded, what’s ignored

SNAP cuts, commodity payments, and rural broadband gaps

Screw worm threat and animal disease control gaps

Trade tensions: China, tariffs, soybeans, pork, and ethanol exports

How weather and global politics (Ukraine, Israel) impact crop and input markets

Progressive Farmer:

https://www.dtnpf.com

Follow Chris on X (Twitter):

@ChrisClaytonDTN

Buy, Sell, Lease, or Auction Land

https://www.nationalland.com

In this urgent and insight-packed episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), to talk about everything from cattle markets and advocacy to an emerging threat few saw coming: the resurgence of the New World screwworm.

Colin outlines NCBA’s deep-rooted history dating back to 1898 and how it remains the largest and most influential cattle producer organization in the U.S., representing over 270,000 cattle producers across all 50 states. The conversation spans major ongoing concerns in the beef industry, including:

Beef market trends in 2025 and how high demand, limited herd supply, and rising quality have kept prices strong.

The delays in the Farm Bill and its implications for ranchers and producers, especially the crucial funding for Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine banks.

How water scarcity, drought conditions, and aquifer depletion are shaping the cattle landscape—and what producers are doing to adapt.

The rise of niche beef markets like grass-fed, locally sourced, and hormone-free, and how they're driving demand and providing new revenue for producers.

A deep dive into the New World Screw Worm crisis: what it is, why it’s dangerous, how it re-emerged, and what the cattle industry must do now to stop it.

The role of NCBA in advocacy, public awareness, technology integration, and emergency response in the face of this new biological threat.

Colin also shares how NCBA is leading national response efforts, from lobbying for sterile fly production to helping producers identify, treat, and report infestations. It’s a critical listen for landowners, cattle producers, ag investors, and anyone concerned with rural land health, agricultural policy, or the food supply chain.

New World Screwworm Resources

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In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Dr. Scott Baier, Professor of Economics and Associate Dean of Research at Clemson University, to unpack the economic realities behind tariffs, global trade, and the growing U.S. national debt.

We delve into how U.S.-China trade tensions, tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and the evolution of trade agreements like NAFTA to USMCA are influencing supply chains and U.S. manufacturing. Dr. Baier explains the real impact of tariffs on consumers, businesses, and jobs, and why many economists remain skeptical of their long-term benefits.

The conversation also covers:

How global supply chain risks are shifting post-COVID

The legal challenges facing the presidential tariff authority

The connection between federal deficits, debt, and entitlement programs

What’s driving the national debt, and what realistic solutions exist to reduce it

Why Social Security and Medicare are central to the deficit conversation

Whether offshoring is truly harming American manufacturing jobs

Packed with insights and clear economic breakdowns, this episode is a must-listen for anyone following U.S. economic policy, global trade, or national fiscal health.

Check out Doctor Scott Baier's Research! 

Buy, Sell, Lease, or Auction Land

In this episode, Mac Christian hosts Jackson Takach, Chief Economist and Director of Strategy, Research, & Analytics at Farmer Mac, for a frank discussion on the real economic challenges facing American agriculture. Tackling everything from rising tariffs and interest rates to farmland values and global trade tensions, Jackson breaks down the complexity of today's economic landscape.

You’ll learn about:

The debut of Farmer Mac’s new Farmland Price Index

The ripple effects of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on agriculture

The reality behind the reshoring of manufacturing and trade strategy

Why economists feel more like weather forecasters today

What’s stalling the Farm Bill—and whether a name change could help

If you're a farmer, ag lender, policy nerd, or just someone trying to make sense of the macroeconomic mess, this episode delivers insight, data, and some much-needed perspective.

Read the Feed: Farmer Mac's Information Base for Ag Data

Buy, Sell, Lease, or Auction Land