What does the surge in farmland purchases/selloffs mean?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/21/us-farmland-idUSTRE7AK0EA20111121

QUOTE: Across the Midwest, the dizzying surge in rural land prices is accelerating a fundamental reshaping of the farm sector in the world's biggest food exporter. Instead of digging in to benefit from the boom in grain prices, the next generation is opting to cash out of the small, family-owned farms that harbor centuries of rural wisdom and deep tradition.

QUOTE #2: On the other side are often investors who view U.S. farmland as the latest hot commodity, with prices soaring at a rate not seen since the 1970s, in some cases to record highs.

QUOTE #3: Large-scale farmers and wealthy outside investors - who are weary of Wall Street's roller coaster - are lining up to plow their money into the perceived stability of farmland. Large parcels of good land can be difficult to find in the U.S., and what is out there doesn't tend to come up for sale very often.

Maybe these investors see something down the road that has gotten their attention?  Many in the Survival/Preparedness community have been talking about the "real value" present in farm-able land for, oh decades I suppose.  It's interesting to see that the big money is catching on as well. 
Also, what are those ex-farmers going to do when the value of the money they've been paid with drop precipitously?  Personally, with how things are going lately I'd rather have the land than some digital paper in my bank account although I don't blame them for wanting to get out of the commercial farming business.   Now small-scale farming on the other hand...