County sets new farm rules

2010-03-25 / Front Page

BY JILL BALLINGER GAZETTE EDITOR

After years of debate and more than five hours of discussion on Tuesday, Mariposa County has defined new rules about Williamson Act land. The decision came late Tuesday evening at the conclusion of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors’ meeting.

Staff presented the proposed changes in the Williamson Act rules, which basically hinge on whether or not the land is actually being used for commercial agriculture. The board approved language that makes 160 the minimum acreage for Williamson Act contracts, except for uses of “intensive agriculture” and some special rules for multiple parcels. The current minimum is 100 acres.

The board’s discussion centered on the minimum commercial profit for farms under contract. Those pieces of land under the Williamson Act receive significant tax breaks for remaining in agricultural production. The county wants to make sure that those receiving the breaks are actually producing.

In the end, the board voted 4-1 to accept the new rules with some language changes that will be brought back for final approval in the coming weeks. The bottom line is that “intensive agricultural” oper- ations must generate $3,000 in income per year. Parcels of 160 acres or more will be held to generally accepted accounting principles for verification.

Enforcement will be key, and it will likely fall to the planning department. Dennis Bunning, who spoke on behalf of the Mariposa County Farm Bureau, said that is the top priority. “The person is not entitled to a tax break if they aren’t producing,” he said. “We should not be subsidizing hobby farms or ranchettes.”

Supervisor Jim Allen said he was glad to see the process moving forward. “I’m happy we’re getting things done finally,” he said on Wednesday. “We just wanted people to do what they say they’re going to do.”

Supervisor Janet Bibby cast the lone dissenting vote because she felt the minimum income for intensive farming should have been set higher.

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What’s the point? Current

Submitted by Tom Armstrong (not verified) on Sun, 2010-03-28 18:09.

What’s the point? Current California Williamson Act specifies 100 acres and no less can be considered an agricultural preserve. Mariposa County Supervisors upping the ante by creating a law that increases this size to 160 acres sends mixed messages to those in this county who wish to start agricultural businesses while showing preference to those who already have those entities established. In fact, it establishes precedents in favor of those parties. Young people that are thinking about moving here that wish to start farming may be discouraged by such an imposition which exceeds those established by the state. Intensive cropping can be done on much less acreage given ample water and amended soil. While the predominant agricultural commodity in this county is cattle, it makes sense to consider local farming as a viable alternative to trucking in vegetables and other produce from foreign countries. Further, while land prices overall have decreased due to the economy, one is hard pressed to find 160 acres in Mariposa Co. that is not priced for development and therefore, out of reach for the ambitious and hardworking people that could grow local crops. This, further impedes the possibilities of local agriculture other than cattle. Farming is a hard enough proposition without placing further restrictions that will prevent local groups from collectively qualifying for the Williamson Act and feeding our local residents. Vegetables and fruits are just as viable an agricultural commodity as chickens, turkeys and cows. Or am I missing something? Is there something in this new imposition by our Board of Supervisors that might accommodate or except those parties wishing to make a viable agricultural contribution to this community or is it just excessive paternalism on the part of our local government?

Oh Boy! More goverment

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2010-03-25 12:34.

Oh Boy! More goverment intrusion into our lives. I hope Bunning is happy sith himself.

i know they think they are

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2010-03-25 15:13.

i know they think they are like gods telling us what to do with our own property... How long do you think all this bondage will last before someone gets fed up?