Farmland preservation is the best deal for farmers

I am dismayed in reading about the "poor" farmer not being able to sell his farm any way he pleases if the Howell Township Council passes an ordinance limiting building to one house on 6 acres.

I haven’t heard that any farmer complains when he receives favorable farmland tax that the rest of the community pays more to cover his shortfall.

When a farmer sells to a developer, the farm is assessed and taxed at full value for two years preceding the sale, more income tax is paid on the greater sale price, the real estate agent’s commission is more, and the attorney will probably charge more. In the end, the farmer gets about the same return if the zoning restricts the sale. Love thy neighbor.

A farmer should push to preserve his farm in farmland preservation. That’s the best deal.

Zena Bible

Howell