Peoples Company, a provider of land brokerage, land management, land investment and appraisal services in 20 states, has acquired 50 percent of Walla Walla-based AgriBusiness Trading Group Inc.

AgriBusiness Trading Group specializes in sales, mergers and acquisitions of investment-grade agricultural assets.

“Peoples Company is proud to announce that we are further expanding our service reach with team members who have a long history in land management, operations, sales and acquisitions in the Pacific Northwest,” said Peoples Company President Steve Bruere in a statement. “Though Peoples Company was already licensed in the states where AgriBusiness Trading Group has a presence – and we’ve completed projects in those states – we believe joining forces will be mutually beneficial for our firms, and most importantly, for our customers.”

The plan came months after Peoples Company announced it had sold the 6,000-acre Weidert Farm in the Walla Walla Valley to California-based Farmland LP. The sale price and plans for the land were not disclosed.

While the Weidert sale helped establish Peoples Company in the region, the deal struck with Agribusiness Trading Group will benefit both firms, according to a news release from Peoples Company.

Peoples Company gains a well-respected partner on the ground in the Northwest, and Agribusiness Trading Group expands its reach and will be able to offer clients more services and resources, according to a news release from Peoples Company.

“In addition to exponentially expanding the reach of our sales, mergers and acquisitions service for agricultural assets, we can now offer appraisal, land management and auction services through this partnership,” said AgriBusiness Trading Group President Adam Woiblet in a news release. “The partnership proves that we continue to uphold our commitment to always put our client’s needs before our own.”

Under the acquisition agreement, AgriBusiness Trading Group will continue to operate under its name in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon.

Peoples Company will provide AgriBusiness Trading Group access to its appraisal, brokerage, auction and land management platform, including its proprietary Land Management software.

The acquisition was finalized May 1.