Neighbor doesn't want me to farm.

[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.

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.

....

Ahh, quote the whole thing. Your neighbors should have zero influence on what you want to legally do on your property. The county and other government entities have restrictions, rules and regulations aplenty. You don't need neighborly "feelings" as yet another influencing party.

I think one assumes the neighbor has the OP's best interests in hand? Yeah, right.

Being a nice guy can come back and haunt one just as easily as being an arse, so to speak.

 

[Sodo]

Neighbors could have infected apple trees on their property (if they want) and harbor expensive pest problems that affect your crop. IMHO being a nice guy can have rewards and being an arse becomes its own punishment.

 

[smstonypoint]

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.

A Coasian solution.:thumbsup: No offense, but you think like an economist.

Steve

 

[dadster4]

That was low...but unfortunately true
Former Chicago area native, still a fan!

 

[smstonypoint]

That was low...but unfortunately true
Former Chicago area native, still a fan!

My intent was to compliment Sodo.

Steve

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I'm sure they would think I was insane if I suggested they pay me not to farm. I don't think it would lead them to a common sense realization that they are asking for something that is both irrational and self centered. They would probably look at it as extortion. "Pay up or I spray you with the evil chemicals"
As for the actual suggestion that I tell them how much gross income that land will produce, I think it would fuel them to more ridiculous sense of entitlement. The comment she made about " all that land" and you have 55 acres. You can use any of it(meaning any that isn't near them) to grow apples. Then they would be festering about my earnings and how it should be theirs since I'm using the land they feel is theirs. Funny thing is he is from the area. His brother has a small farming operation growing livestock in the "locally sourced food " industry. Lots of gourmet beef and poultry and hogs.

I appreciate all of the input. It gives me a lot to think of and helps to go down the road of what I should and shouldn't do and what can and can't happen.
I know myself. I will inevitably talk to him and I will point out what I have done to make this experience less painful for them. I know change can be difficult to embrace. I may or may not point out that he made a choice to place his house on the edge of a property line instead of placing it in such a way that he controlled the land around it. But I will definitely stand my ground in the issue and there will be apple trees growing on that hill. I won't be nasty because I don't like myself when Behave like that. I hold the cards here. I own the land and could just cut to the edge and put up an unattractive fence and then do whatever I want there. Or be really crappy and grown nothing. Maybe even clear cut it and leave it wild. Just build a fence on the perimeter. Plant tobacco or raise chickens. Have hogs or goats. I have 5 division rights so I could clear cut that and put a trailer there and rent it out. I've been a landlord for 15 years and have dealt with nightmare tennants. I could suffer thru another one for a while. There is a deep and dark well that you can throw yourself into if you want to be the worst neighbor. I don't. I bought this land to grow apples and make extraordinary hard cider and live in a beautiful place and hunt on my own land and be happy with my new bride (just celebrated our first anniversary) and sit in the courtyard and watch the sunset next to a fire pit while I drink cider or wine or Jameson's. Being a d-bag doesn't make me happy. I am going to forge ahead with my plan to leave a little space on MY LAND to accommodate animals moving to the springs and pond on my property. And then grow beautiful trees in a low spray orchard - has always been my plan but pests and disease can force a tactical adjustment. I will provide them an opportunity to enjoy my view and be happy. I will smile and wave. I will clear snow from the private road that we live in in the winter time ( I own the road in front of my land and they have right of way.) i have no obligation to clear the snow but I have a tractor and when I'm around I will because that is just me. I will swing by with a bottle of cider from time to time and wish them well.. And if they decide that they can't take the horrible apples any more or the crazy gun toting redneck on the tractor, then I am certain they will get a nice price for their home. The market for that level of house is pretty hot right now.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Don't forget; the neighbor may just decide that the property line near the apple orchard would be best served with a privacy fence of densely planted Eastern Red Cedars. After all, it's his property, right? Does it matter if they are diseased? Maybe you can spray for it, I don't know.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

That's a tough situation for both as chemicals are involved. ( consider other future neighbours )

It may be best to consult with a lawyer and find out what the situation could be on a petition to deny you spraying rights etc.

This is very true. If their 5 acres is zoned residential then there may be serious restrictions on what you can do within a certain distance of the property line.

 

[jaotguy]

just thank them ( and the other neighbors) for their input ...

and let them know that all final decisions will be left up to the experts in the field, as they know the regulations and best farming practices for orchards to produce the least impact on the land.

best farming practices , ergonomics, tree selection , planting, etc ..... which you will be following as a good steward of the land.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

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.