What To Do When a Developer Calls

The call is not unusual. Your response matters.

Energy developers are calling farm families across Illinois right now. The calls are often friendly, low-pressure at first, and designed to get a meeting on the calendar. Most farmers are not sure what to say — or what not to say — when these calls come in.

Here is a straightforward guide to protecting your interests from the first contact forward.

Step 1: Do not commit to anything on the first call.

It is completely acceptable to say: “Thank you for reaching out. I’m not in a position to have that conversation today, but I will be in touch.” You do not owe a developer a meeting, a timeline, or any information about your operation on the first call. Politely ending the call is not rude — it is smart.

Step 2: Find out who is calling and who they represent.

Ask for the company name, the caller’s full name and title, and a written description of what they are proposing. Legitimate developers will provide this without hesitation. Research the company before any further conversation — find out who owns them, what projects they have built, and whether they have a history in your region.

Step 3: Do not sign anything without independent review.

Option agreements, lease agreements, and letters of intent are all legally binding documents. Any document a developer asks you to sign should be reviewed by someone who works exclusively for you — not the developer’s attorney, not a general agricultural attorney who has not reviewed energy contracts before. The terms in these documents will govern your family’s relationship with this project for 30 years or more.

Step 4: Understand what you are being asked to give up.

Most initial developer proposals ask for an option on your land — the right to lease or purchase it at a future date under terms set today. Once you sign an option, you have given the developer control over what happens with that parcel. Make sure you understand exactly what ground is covered, what the developer can do with it, what you will receive, and what rights you are giving up before you sign.

Step 5: Get someone on your side of the table.

The developer has a team of professionals whose job is to close deals on terms favorable to the developer. You deserve the same level of representation. UnCommon Energy works exclusively for landowners — we review proposals, identify what is missing or one-sided, and give you a direct recommendation. We have no financial interest in whether a deal gets done.

If a developer has contacted you, reach out to us before your next conversation with them. The first call with us is free.