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Small farms

Published Feb 27, 2011
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board

When it comes to farms, smaller can be better.

That’s why we support legislation being proposed by Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, to give a tax break to Salt Lake County residents who put at least two acres into agricultural production. Small farms that are five acres or larger already pay lower greenbelt taxes.

There are benefits that come from tiny farms reaped by the farmers themselves, as well as their neighbors and society in general. They fit into a pattern of self-sufficiency that creates less dependence on fossil fuels, provides more open space and encourages more healthful eating habits and a healthier populace.

All around Salt Lake Valley, subdivision dwellers are putting chickens in backyard coops and raising more fruit and vegetables. An urban-farming program promoted by Salt Lake County Councilman Jim Bradley now boasts 30 acres of productive land that used to be government-owned vacant lots.

It’s not surprising that Salt Lake County, which has changed its ordinances to encourage backyard food and egg production, is on board with Niederhauser’s bill. It would benefit many more urban and suburban residential areas, since few building lots are as big as the five acres required now for the tax break.

“The concept of urban farming and self-reliance are really becoming in vogue,” said Democratic Councilman Randy Horiuchi. “In an urban county like Salt Lake County, it is almost impractical to have five acres.”

We agree with Horiuchi, who said the measure would help preserve remaining farmland in an increasingly metropolitan county.

As proposed, the measure would apply only to Salt Lake County. But the bill could have a financial impact on other county property owners. Any tax breaks given through the urban-farming program would be recouped through slightly higher taxes on other properties.

In order to prevent misuse of the tax break, the small-farm owner would have to apply for the lower tax assessment for each year that the property was used for agriculture. The bill provides a penalty if the landowner delays notifying the county assessor’s office that the land has changed use, and it rightly includes a rollback of a portion of the tax break if and when the land is sold or taken out of production.

Utahns are justly proud of their pioneer and agricultural heritage. We should pass that on, even to city dwellers with a yen for the home-grown.