How do I check a vegetable farm’s high tunnels, seeders and walk-behind tractors?

For the tunnels, walk the whole structure. Look at hoops, bases, end walls, doors, vents and the cover. Ask when the cover was last replaced and how it handled wind and snow. Check the ground inside for drainage and any signs of soil trouble. Ask which tunnels produce the most and which are hardest to manage, and whether any came with the property or were bought separately.

For the machines, ask the seller to run them in a field. A precision seeder should place seed evenly, and a walk-behind tractor should start, run and shift without struggle. Check the engines, belts, tines and wheels. Look at the attachments: which fit which machine, and how many come with the sale? Small farms often rely on a few machines, so ask what happens when one breaks in the middle of planting.

Ask for receipts, repair invoices and the age of each item. Make a list with the seller of everything included and its condition, and have your lawyer confirm what is owned outright. An experienced grower or mechanic can help you read what you find. Ask also how the seller stores the machines over winter, since care in the off-season often shows in how they start in spring.

Key takeaways

• Walk each tunnel and ask when the cover was last replaced.
• Watch the seeders and tractors run in a field with their attachments.
• List every item included in the sale and confirm who owns it.