I would make a point to talk with the owner, his wife, and or family and state your desires. "I would like the oppertunity to purchase X amt of land if you ever deside to sell it" or "would you consider holding onto X amt of land and letting me lease it"
Dang! I ended up with the picky ones, here in Tennessee. Depending on what hay I am feeding new vs old the cows will either dive right in and start eatting or stand at the fence and fuss. Mostly a black heard