Neighbor doesn't want me to farm.

[forgeblast]

Please post when your setting/planting/growing your orchard!! love to see it take shape.
The buffer you may be able to make money on it by enrolling it into CREP which is a conservation reserve enhancement program. You can do it for 10-15 years. We have a few acres enrolled in it and it pays us 200 a year to grow trees.

 

[dmccarty]

Whole area is zoned rural. Means I'm free to grow. As for cedar trees, there are none on their property now. Miller vs Schoene. Went to the Supreme Court. State entomologist ordered red cedars cut down to prevent disease to nearby orchard. I could probably have them cut down. Again. Can't see it going that rout. They seem self absorbed and not truly crazy. Maybe I'm just hopeful.

We have Red Cedars all over our place and I see the rust on the trees every few years. Looks pretty to be honest but it sure is not nice for apples.

We have cleared some land to plant Apple trees and somewhere I have a list of trees that resist various diseases including Cedar Rust. We certainly will have to plant trees that resist Cedar Rust.

You might be interested in this book, Old Southern Apples: A Comprehensive History and Description of Varieties for Collectors, Growers, and Fruit Enthusiasts, 2nd Edition: Creighton Lee Calhoun Jr.: 9781603582940: Amazon.com: Books. There are some places that are selling heritage apples so it pays to look. There is one place in NC but near the NC/VA border.

Later,
Dan

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Dmccarty, you may be talking about century farms in NC. That is where I have purchased my trees. He is great to deal with and has a great reputation. As for the cedars , I have seen some used as a hedge line on a property about 1 mile away. I'm sure they are out there. I will have to deal with it when the time comes. There are a lot of orchards inky area so I'm not the only person who has to face this.

 

[TomSeller]

I am not a fan of CREP.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

WoodChuckDad - sounds like you have a well grounded plan.

Let me know when your cider is ready - I'd love to drive down and buy a couple of bottles.

I will definitely let folks know when we are finally able to sell our cider.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

The CREP thing sounds good on the surface, I would just be a bit uneasy leasing my land to a govt program. They have a habit of claiming ownership on things. I'd rather not be on their radar.

 

[riptides]

The CREP thing sounds good on the surface, I would just be a bit uneasy leasing my land to a govt program. They have a habit of claiming ownership on things. I'd rather not be on their radar.

Around these parts, Northern VA county, many are fond of a Protection from Developers Rights. PDR for short.
Perhaps your county offers something similar? You could re-plot your land, take those by-right development lots, encompass the "buffer" and sell that into the program. It is still "yours" but you cannot develop on it, ever.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

In this case, I'm the developer. I'm developing it as a farm. The whole point of moving to the country is so that I can do what I want. I know I can't escape all encumberances of man but I don't want to put myself into a contract that has somebody telling me what I can and can't do. And the idea that " it is mine but I can't develop it EVER" means it isnt mine. This forest land will become farmland.

 

[riptides]

In this case, I'm the developer. I'm developing it as a farm. The whole point of moving to the country is so that I can do what I want. I know I can't escape all encumberances of man but I don't want to put myself into a contract that has somebody telling me what I can and can't do. And the idea that " it is mine but I can't develop it EVER" means it isnt mine. This forest land will become farmland.

"Develop" in the case of the PDR program means building commercial business or housing on it. In our case it means "develop" as in maintain or build the farm business out, which means agriculture.

The program looks to keep farmers and their land in the current or future state of "agriculture", rather than selling to say a housing developer.

In my area, a good portion of my county, has "bought" into it.

In your case, I assumed you had by-right development rights, which I assume you could sell to a housing developer. This program would allow you to sell to the county and maintain it as part of your farm.

It may not be offered down that way, but it is a step up, for some, on conservation easements.

Here is some more information for you:
VDACS - Office of Farmland Preservation - Tools

 

[JerryK]

' Do what I want ' is a broad term ... I live out in the boonies and farm related activities are protected pretty good, but one persons do anything I want is anothers pain in the arse. I don't know anywhere you can ' do as you want '..... There is and has to be use regulations.. or folks would run amok... and others would be sighting in their weapons.