A play that's making its way across western Minnesota this winter is helping to open a dialogue about the future of rural America and family farms.

Amy Bacigalupo, director of the Farm Beginnings program for the Land Stewardship Project, says "Look Who's Knockin'" is centered on a retiring farm couple faced with a dilemma: whether to take a top-dollar offer for their land from an already major farming operation - or consider selling or renting to a beginning farmer.

"Why we need to have that conversation is that there's more at risk here in that decision than just individual security. There's a risk to the community. There's a risk to the future of our farmland and our soils, and there are a lot of questions that go beyond money."

The actors will soon have completed 18 performances in the last year-and-a-half, and Bacigalupo says each stop is unique.

"Because this question impacts communities so differently, that's why we wanted to do this play in so many different communities and have the community come forward and talk about the specific challenges and potential solutions within that community."

Just as beginning farmers of today may need a helping hand, Bacigalupo says the same has been true for many families over the decades.

"The value of land has increased dramatically and so, that puts a new spin on it, often. But really, this is the same dilemma that people have faced forever, knowing that they could probably get more for their land. Or what's more important to them - seeing another family get started farming."

Bacigalupo says many beginning farmers start out renting land because purchasing can be cost-prohibitive. Top-selling farmland in Minnesota can go for more than $7,000 an acre.

On Sun., Jan. 22, the one-act play comes to Southwest Minnesota State University at 2:00 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre, Marshall. Upcoming stops include Litchfield, Clinton, Milan and Glenwood.