Source: MonroeNews.com, by Dean Cousino
April 01, 2008

About half of the 15 townships in the county have endorsed an ordinance to create a county farmland preservation program. Mary Webb, chairman of the county planning commission, said more townships should get behind it. "It's a real good program and a lot of townships have signed on," Mrs. Webb told about 50 farmers, supervisors and planning consultants at an informational meeting Monday at the extension service office. "We've talked about this for 12 years and it's not compulsory. If no one signed up, at least we could say it's here if someone wants to participate." Ash, Frenchtown, LaSalle, Erie, Dundee, Summerfield and Whiteford townships have adopted it. The ordinance was adopted by county commissioners in August. It was drafted by a countywide task force declaring that preserving farmland and open space is significant and supported by many units of government within the county. The 17-page ordinance sets a standard that the county is a desirable place to live, work and visit in large part because of the valuable farmland, woods, wetlands, agricultural fields and wildlife habitat that needs to be protected. The ordinance establishes steps for the county to acquire, or buy, development rights in farmland and other eligible land enrolled in the program. Currently, there is no money available to fund the program either at the county or the state levels. Among the program's benefits, though, are lessening congestion on area streets and highways, preventing urban sprawl and retaining the rural and historic character of the county to support orchard tours, produce stands and other ag-tourism activities. "This is completely voluntary for landowners," said Robert Peven, assistant director of the county planning department and a member of the task force. "It's been a learning process for everyone. We aren't actively promoting this yet. We need a board first to establish selection criteria" for enrollment applications. The lack of funding to buy development rights has slowed interest in the program. But when the money does become available, "we want Monroe County landowners to take the necessary steps to become eligible," Mr. Peven said. The task force unveiled two large maps at the meeting showing proposed future land use plans of all primary and secondary agricultural land in the county along with property designated for commercial, residential, industrial and science-technology use. The maps have not been released yet to the public, Mrs. Webb said. Some townships like Berlin Township have not passed a resolution yet backing the ordinance. The township just updated its master plan in 2007 and wants to be sure its zoning and land uses comply with those in the county plan. It also wants to see what the funding mechanism might be, said Marvin Reaume, a trustee and vice chairman of the township planning commission. He suggested a creative means of funding is needed. "I think it's a good deal as long as it's voluntary and (funded) with donations," not property taxes, Mr. Reaume said. "I think farmland is important. For a number of years, our farmland has disappeared faster than in most communities, although it has slowed down somewhat because of the economy." Several years ago, Berlin voters in a special election rejected by an almost 2-1 margin a proposed millage to fund a development rights program. Some communities like Peninsula Township near Grand Traverse Bay and the City of Ann Arbor already have approved similar millages to fund such a program and prevent urban sprawl, Mr. Peven said. Richard Harlow, coordinator of the farmland preservation effort for the Michigan Department of Agriculture, explained how landowners can obtain temporary easements preserving farmland through the state's Farmland and Open Space Preservation law or permanent easements through the state's development rights program begun in 2004. The MDA currently holds 87 permanent conservation easements under the program that protect 19,000 acres in 34 counties (Monroe County is not among them). In addition to the state program, two dozen communities have developed their own purchase of development rights' programs within the past five years, Mr. Harlow said. In 2005, a total of $1.3 million in grants was awarded to buy development rights in five communities. Today, there are two dozen communities that qualify, but only $350,000 is available in the fund, he said. That's nothing when some farmland is selling for $10,000 an acre to developers, Brad Beck of Ottawa Lake said after the meeting. "There was someone near us who just sold 40 acres for $350,000 and another 40 acres went for $390,000. I don't know how we can compete with that," Mr. Beck, 44, said. He said he liked the concept of the development rights program, but "it's underfunded. (Developers) are getting aggressive, although the economic slowdown has put a pinch on them." A fifth-generation farmer of 500 acres of grain, he said his family is hoping to get two farms they own certified as centennial farms by the state. "You don't see much farmland preservation any more," Mr. Beck said. "Only two guys out of my (graduating) class still farm. Farmers are selling because of the money." Steve Elzinga has managed Erie Orchards & Cider Mill for 31 years and is passionate about leaving an agricultural legacy when he retires. The 65-acre orchard has produced fruit for thousands of Michigan and Ohio buyers for 100 years. "I'm really the last commercial orchard left," Mr. Elzinga, 61, said. "It would break my heart to see the orchard bulldozed and go the way of other farms. It's a good thing to have this program in place someday" when the funding is there. On the Web: More information about the state's development rights program:
www.michigan.gov/farmland.