Neighbor doesn't want me to farm.

[murphy1244]

I have planned to try to spray when they are not home and when the wind isn't blowing in their direction. That just seems like common courtesy. Maybe not an apple pie, but we will be operating a cidery on premises. And have been making it at home to perfect our process and recipes. A bottle or two might not be a bad idea. Later when they settle down a bit.

I would like to have a neighbor like you anyday.

 

[TomSeller]

I have planned to try to spray when they are not home and when the wind isn't blowing in their direction. That just seems like common courtesy. Maybe not an apple pie, but we will be operating a cidery on premises. And have been making it at home to perfect our process and recipes. A bottle or two might not be a bad idea. Later when they settle down a bit.

I look forward to your recipes. Please keep me posted on the apple varieties you choose and I'm sure more than one of us would like to know how you make (hard?) cider. I'm sure some of my old varieties were for cider, but it will be a trial and error.

How do you plan to keep bear out the orchard? A black bear really made a mess out of some of my trees this year.

 

[Leejohn]

I look forward to your recipes. Please keep me posted on the apple varieties you choose and I'm sure more than one of us would like to know how you make (hard?) cider. I'm sure some of my old varieties were for cider, but it will be a trial and error.

How do you plan to keep bear out the orchard? A black bear really made a mess out of some of my trees this year.

One sure way to keep bears out is to but up green bay signs and colors around the trees. The bears well stay miles away.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I am putting up an 8 foot fence to deal with the deer. If I don't I will never have to worry about the bear. Then, once I begin to get production I am going to electrify the fence. It works on deer, hogs, and bear. And of course, I have been hunting for a while and have lots of friends who would love the opportunity to "relocate" any bear or deer that get on my property. I have a small black bear hanging on the wall in the room I'm in right now. Took him from the ground with a bow. I like the meat. Many people do not. I have friends who have hunted their whole lives and never seen a bear. I will deter as much as I can, but if they become a problem I will address it.

We feel that our cider has reached a quality level where we can market it. I can't wait to break ground on the facility next year. If we were not building next year, I would rent a small building and start production now. I have a lot on my plate so waiting a year is a good idea, even if it doesn't make me happy right away.

 

[TomSeller]

We feel that our cider has reached a quality level where we can market it. I can't wait to break ground on the facility next year. If we were not building next year, I would rent a small building and start production now. I have a lot on my plate so waiting a year is a good idea, even if it doesn't make me happy right away.

Excellent !!

 

[Sodo]

You both want something...figure out exactly what...and if both are reasonable, it's possible to reach a happy medium?. you have a potential for a lifetime of bickering...nuisance law suits, complaints to the EPA, state environmental authorities, etc. A few compromises now might save you a lot of money and grief later on...not to mention that a history of neighbor dissatisfaction might affect the potential sale of the land later. It's better to reach a compromise now than to "get your own way" and ignore the building storm. Being "right" has it's merits, but it will not always get you where you want to be.

^^^ THIS ^^^

Also remember that EVERY landowner with un-used land next-door thinks of it as his own. He just needs some time to let go.

He made a mistake by not creating his own buffer, and he has to live with that. It's not your job to save him from his mistake.

Tell him if he has concerns, to let you know and you will try to accommodate them, but be clear that you are the landowner and the suggestion has to work for WoodChuckDad first, and he will come second. If you are always pleasant to talk to but firm in your intentions that's the best you can do.

 

[riptides]

Screw your neighbor and even what they are thinking.

Make sure you are within the laws of your county (zone, use) and state. Do what you want to do, need to do on your land.

If you communicate with them, be cordial and offer no insight, concessions, thoughts or information on what you are doing or your plans. Perhaps, if possible, never be alone while doing it.

Cease e-Mailing them immediately. Break that off, cordially, too.

Good luck.

 

[jimmyj]

I hate chemicals and would be bummed if a new person bought the place next to me and started spraying them. That said, it's not my place so I would just shut up and deal with it and certainly not try and be pushy on the neighbor. I would though try and get friendly with them and over time ask that they try their best to avoid overspray etc.

To me having a good relationship with a neighbor is super important, but they' are not going to rule my life or what I do. I'd simply make sure they know that you are happy to know what their concerns are regarding your farming and that you will do your best to keep them in mind and accommodate them the best you can as you do your work.

Oh, and I would not email anything. All discussions should be verbal only. NO paper records is good practice and the nuances of face to face talks are really important vs the email way of doing thiings.

 

[davesl708]

I would do what you want to do. As to the neighbor, I would try to time the spraying to have the wind in the right direction to keep drift off their land.
I have neighbors as well who thought they should decide what trees I plant and which ones to cut. I explained to them I was doing what I did for a reason and it does not effect their land. We get along good but they don't like the evergreens but are getting use to them.

 

[Sodo]

Screw your neighbor and even what they are thinking,,,,,,,,

I hope people don't go this route. My dad thought like this and and one brother does too. My mom didn't, and I personally don't prefer it. My current neighbors aren't like this. If you make your bed you have to lay in it. "Never be alone?" That's a bit much. That's not my America, NOT what I will teach my kids. But keep in mind maybe your neighbor was raised like this.

WoodchuckDad maybe you can look at the area (where neighbor made his mistake in house placement) as generating a different form of revenue. Perhaps a much EASIER type of farming - grow BUFFER! Lets say they would like to preserve the buffer (perhaps while they enhance their own buffer). Tell them the land they want use of, will produce $XXX of apple profit per acre per year. If they want use of the land they are welcome to lease it from you for $X,XXX. If they decline it becomes their decision, and there is no bad guy. If they want to do it for a few years then they can make that decision every year whether it's worthwhile. When they tire of paying (which could be before even the first payment) then you can expand the orchard. You get the same money for less work, less chemicals too. This becomes their way to "let go" of the neighbor property they THINK they own.

For you, the 5 acres begin to produce revenue from day one, before the rest of the orchard has the first apple. This will be useful to you, it could pay startup costs. My guess is that they will decline, and seeing the ball in their court, will let go of their notions.

The cost of this project is their responsibility not yours. Tell them you're willing to do the footwork to keep everyone happy, but not willing to pay in lawyering (or in apples). YOU contact the lawyer, don't deal with theirs. A standard lease can be adjusted in one hour. They don't get rights to do anything on the leased land, their only right is prevent cutting of trees while the lease is in-force. You can make it whatever you want, 3 years then year-to-year thereafter. And you can use the land as a wildlife corridor as you planned. Just keep quiet and let them talk about their needs ONLY. Don't admit to ANY benefits that you will enjoy (less work or wildlife).