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Both men stressed that the organization does not plan to be a kneejerk opponent of growth in the county. Such a stand is “unrealistic,” Mr. Massie said.
“We hope we can work with development so we can still have agriculture and open space,” Mr. Eastham added.
One major thrust of the organization’s efforts, they explained, will be toward educating the public about alternatives to selling agricultural land for development.
Transferable Development Rights, or TDRs, is one option now being explored by state legislators. That would allow one landowner, a farmer for example, to sell all or part of the density allocated for his land to another landowner. In return for the financial gain, the seller would forever lose all or part of the development rights to that property.
Though such a transfer would encumber the property and limit future development, it does offer options for a landowner who wants to keep the land in agriculture or open space. And, by allowing more dense use of areas already designated for development, the concept could be useful in limiting developmental sprawl.
“It sounds funny that a fanning organization would be talking about development,” Mr. Massie said. But, the organization hopes that it can eventually offer some options to farmers contemplating retirement so that, “instead of the traditional move of selling out . . . they could get some type of equity for the land while still keeping some acreage in agriculture.”
The land use taxation program is another area where the organization hopes that it can educate the public to its value. “Everybody is very concerned with the possibility that land use might be done away with,” according to Mr. Massie.
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