Ag Exemption in East Texas-HELP!!!! (lease, mobile home, camp)

[EastTexasResident]

We recently purchased 44 acres in East Texas(Leesburg, TX-Camp County)..I have a few questions. The previous owner was living on about 20 acres and had leased out the other 20 or so acres to someone that has 6 horses on it. The property is currently qualifed under the Ag exemption b/c of the 6 horses there. We have agreed to continue the lease agreement unitl June so that as of January 2010, we can still continue the Ag exemption...the question is after he moves his horses in June, what do we need to do to make sure we still qualify for the Ag exemption? Our plan was to get some goats, pigs and chickens, but how many do we have to have???? And can we put a mobile home on that 20 acres??? or we it have to be specifically for the farm animals?

[nsumner]

Your have to read your deed restrictions. They will highlight if you can put a mobile home or or as well as what type of animals are allowed.

You should have a received the deed restrictions when you went to closing.

Naima

[EastTexasResident]

Thanks..no we did read the deed..there are no restrictions on the property. My question was can we put a mobile home in the area that is fenced off for the animals..or does that have to be strictly seperate for Ag purposes? How many animals do we have to have after we move the horses to continue the Ag exemption?

[ChristieP]

You'll need to check with your county about what qualifies for Ag. Each county is a little different.

I can't recommend raising pigs just to get the Ag exemption. The stench and filth they create will not (IMHO) be worth the property tax savings. I'd stick with goats. Free-range chickens will only draw coyotes unless you have some serious preventative fencing.

[EastTexasResident]

That's a good point about the pigs Christie..we don't want a whole lot of animals but just enough to be Ag exempt..will probably stick to the Goats and maybe a chicken pen. We do have a 4 acre pond..not sure if that counts towards anything. I did get on the Camp County website but didn't find any information.

[EastTexasResident]

Anyone know anything about Ag exempt in Camp County, Texas?? I'm still searching!

[ETex2]

It's the same as the rest of the counties. Basically, you have to have the use under agricultural uses. That can mean growing crops or hay, or having livestock. One acre along with the house will be assessed at full market value. The rest can be exempt if under a qualifying ag use. Call your local appraisal district to get a copy of the rules and the form for filing the exemption.

[animal house]

Did you find out anything? I have same questions as you. I have a homestead on 6 acres and I am trying to figure out how to become Ag exempt. We rescue horses and we have not figured out how to get any kind of tax break. I was thinking about more chickens and donating the eggs to the shelters in East Texas?

[ChristieP]

Usually horses only qualify if they are breeding animals. I've heard of performance trainers keeping ONE broodmare on the place to stay in Ag! If you're doing rescue, obviously that won't work for you. (Maybe rescueing pregnant mares would qualify?)

[Wwalker32]

All horses now qualify but if you so a wildlife exemption then no animals are required at all. If the land has the been under ag for five years then just do a wildlife exemption. Even birds count here if there are no deer or turkeys.