I am thinking that the landowner could make an election to be taxed as an accrual method taxpayer. Then he/she would just report the rent for each period as it was earned and pay taxes each year on just the earned portion. I think you can only prepay rent for 12 months, too...so the tenant would have to carry a good chunk of the payment as a deposit, and deduct it later.
In essence, the money would be a deposit, ensuring the landlord that they don't have to worry about collecting. Probably will see more of these types of arrangements, and also maybe more custom farming and share rents develop as the Midwest turns into the new Middle East.
