jgiuntoli January 6th, 2009
Over that last several months, the Department of Revenue became aware of a need to reexamine the “farm and agricultural land” definitions found in WAC 458-30-200 (Open Space Tax Act rules). On December 31, the Department issued an emergency rule based on their findings and with public input. More information on the emergency rule can be found on the Departments web page here.
The Department amended its rule (WAC 458-30-200) on an emergency basis to broaden the scope of the rule by: (1) eliminating the requirement for breeding of animals; and (2) allowing the “sale” of forage through the grazing of livestock, including equines.
Under the emergency rule, raising pigs, calves, or other livestock for the production of food or fiber, without breeding them does not disqualify the land from classification. In addition, if a horse boarding operation pastures or grazes the boarded horses, then the “sale” of the pasture forage constitutes the sale of an agricultural product.
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jgiuntoli January 5th, 2009
The Farmland Preservation Task Force 2009 Meetings scheduled:
February 4, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Willaby Room
1835 Black Lake Blvd. Suite D
Olympia WA 98512-5623
May 6, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Ellensburg, Washington
Location: TBD
September 2, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Omak, Washington
Location: TBD
December 2, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Spokane, Washington
Location: TBD
admin December 18th, 2008
The October Farmland Preservation Task Force minutes are now available. Topics on the Task Force agenda included a presentation by the Washington State Department of Agriculture on their domestic and international marketing efforts. Other items included discussion on state efforts to enhance agriculture in the State of Washington and discussion on a presentation by WDFW Lands manager Jennifer Quan. For more information or if you have questions, please feel free to contact OFP at 360.407.7474 or via email to jgiuntoli@scc.wa.gov.
Download the approved October meeting minutes here.
jgiuntoli December 9th, 2008
Lynn Bahrych, Chair of the Washington State Conservation Commission, recently presented to the Washington Association of Conservation Districts a briefing on the 2008 Farm Bill and the federal tax incentives for agricultural land conservation.
The 2008 Farm Bill renews and increases a significant tax incentive which had expired January 1, 2008. The new Farm Bill made it retroactive to January 1, 2008, with conservation easements donated between 2006 and the end of 2009 being eligible for the new incentives. Millions of acres of farms, ranches, and natural areas across the United States have been conserved through these easements. By lowering the market value of the land, these easements can also bring the value of the land below the estate-tax limit, reducing the pressure on heirs to sell in order to pay estate taxes.
Continue reading by opening the PDF.
federal-tax-incentives-for-agricultural-land-conservation
jgiuntoli November 14th, 2008
In response to the November 13th stakeholder meetings, Brad Flaherty, Assistant Director of the Department of Revenue, Property Tax Division, issued a MEMO to all County Assessors requesting that they take no enforcement or collection action with respect to the removal or reclassification of property currently in farm and agricultural land until the Department has the opportunity to work through the rule-making process.
DOR Open Space MEMO to County Assessors
jgiuntoli November 14th, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 is continuing a small-grant program in Fiscal Year 2006 to help implement the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and support “transition” efforts by growers.
The RFP is available online here. Approximately $180,000 is available for funding this year. Proposals are due by Close of Business, Friday, January 16, 2009. Decisions will be made by February 20, 2009. Projects must be completed by April 30, 2010.
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jgiuntoli November 10th, 2008
Public Meeting Announcement: Important Time Change for Stakeholder Meeting To Review Open Space Taxation Act Definitions (WAC 458-30-200)
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apoire November 5th, 2008
The Washington State Office of Farmland Preservation Task Force will hold a public half-day business meeting followed by a full day business meeting on Tuesday December 2 and Wednesday December 3rd, in Wenatchee, Washington. The meeting will be held at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel’s Blossom Harvest Room.
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apoire August 18th, 2008
The photos from the Task Force tour of the Klickitat Region are now available. Of particular interest on this tour: livestock and dairy production, orchards, and urban sprawl.
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apoire July 21st, 2008
This year’s 2008 Vim Wright Stewardship Award Dinner, celebrating the best of those living the dream of sustainable agriculture, is being held in beautiful Carnation, Washington. Nestled in the Snoqualmie
Valley, this year’s dinner features a barbeque, hay ride, and a biodynamic farm tour, as well as the award ceremony itself. For more information please visit Farming and the Environment Website or contact E.J. Kim at (206)524-3539 for more information.
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