Leasing Rice Fields

[Boudreaux35]

Prompted by what someone said in another thread which I have found to be more true than seems logical.

I haven't "shopped" around for land to lease in a while, but several years ago I was in the position to find a new lease (rice field). I checked with several farmers/land owners in the area who had unhunted property and got a similar answer from all. They did not want to lease. Now, all of my previousl leases had contracts holding the owner/farmer harmless in case of any accidents and spelled out who would be responsible for any damage to property. So, my question would be why would someone turn down the chance to make a nice sum of cash (tax free) for doing pretty much nothing? I mean the land is just sitting there doing nothing for the season anyway, right?

Can anyone explain to me?