Best way to start on ag exemption? (Brenham, Montgomery: real estate, transfer to)

[Austin97]

there is a way around the 5 years that I have learned. There is a program called ecolab - this becomes immediately effective. You just allow researchers on the property to do research.

You can start another type as well and wait the 5 years all the while doing ecolab

Beehives count on up to 20 acres.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by Austin97

there is a way around the 5 years that I have learned. There is a program called ecolab - this becomes immediately effective. You just allow researchers on the property to do research.

You can start another type as well and wait the 5 years all the while doing ecolab

Beehives count on up to 20 acres.

You're right, I'd forgotten about that. So if he's doing an ecolab ag, that would work.

[coco2k66]

Just purchased a 14 acre property outside of Austin which came with an ag exemption. What would be the best way to keep the ag exemption this year, until we can get the lay of the land so to speak? We do hope to become involved with bee keeping and speciality flower growing down the line but as March is fast approaching, any suggestions on what we can do in the interim?

[DashRiprock]

Goats? I don't know.

In the county where our family has property (not Travis) they will allow you to go "fallow" for some period of time to allow your pastures to recover. But our property is in an extremely rural county and they aren't particularly aggressive in monitoring what you're doing. I get the impression Travis is different.

Edit to add: I don't know what "just purchased" means but I'd be surprised if even Travis county expected you to set up a farming operation within 3-4 months. Why does this have to be done by March?

[Trainwreck20]

Hay is probably the easiest - nothing to do right away, but have someone come harvest the hay in the fall (assuming that this suitable land).

But talked to the county agent, you may have some breathing room.

[tams3757]

If you have a water source and good fencing then you could get some stockers (steers). Feed them in the spring, sell them in the fall and you have no winter worries.

[Trainwreck20]

Cattle and goats can be rough on the land, though, if it is in good shape for crops. Sheep tear up the turf/trees less.

[Jana K]

I did not have time to read all the posts. My question is: Does hunting qualify my 11 acres for an ag exemption? tia.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Jana K

I did not have time to read all the posts. My question is: Does hunting qualify my 11 acres for an ag exemption? tia.

Very unlikely. Very large tracts that do commercial hunting might qualify, but tracts that small - no.

[coco2k66]

Thank you all so very much.