D26—Lancaster Famine, Saturday, February 23,1980 CHICAGO, XL. More than 2700 acres of U.S. prime farmland are taken out of production on an average day for houses, shopping centers, roads and other uses. Several agricultural economists said that workable land-use policies must be established to preserve the future of farm ing. University of Wisconsin agricultural economist Richard Barrows points out that existing land-use Delaware offers bulletin of direct marketing laws DOVER, Del. Roadside markets and pick-your-own ventures have become a popular way to sell locally grown produce in Delaware. There’s even interest in re establishing a farmers’ market or two in the state. Regardless of the method of direct marketing you choose, there are laws and regulations governing the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables in Delaware. The Extension Service, in cooperation with the state Department of Agriculture, has prepared a bulletin which explains these regulations. Though not all inclusive, the booklet “Laws and Regulations Affecting Direct Marketing in Delaware” provides a workable guide to the various legal aspects of direct marketing produce in the state. The bulletin is broken ■IB TOM Era »lllKUiriß y menm 16 H.P., 3 PT. Hitch Front & Rear, Hydraulic Lift Front & Rear - Many Other Features Similar to The Big Tractors at a Price You Can Afford! ALLEN H. MATZ. INC. 505 E. Main St., New Holland Ph: 717-354-2214 SERVING THE COMMUNITY THIRTY-ONE YEARS LANC. CO.’S OLDEST FORD DEALER Ag economists review land use planning policies by themselves have been largely ineffective in protecting farmland. “Land-use planning has often been criticized as too weak to protect farmland. However, land-use planning is not always weak, as il lustrated by the planning program in Walworth Coun ty (Lake Geneva) Wiscon sin,” Barrows said. “Instead of viewing the plan as a document showing where urban growth should occur, Walworth County farmers and rural citizens used planning as a process of down into 11 sections covering the following subjects: entrance-exit requirements and parking at roadside markets and pick your-own establishments, zoning, advertising, public health standards, weights and measures, pesticide uses, labor, taxes, licenses, cooperative marketing associations, and reducing risks of accidents. There is also a list of references which cover these topics in greater depth. Each section contains a descriptive review of the specific laws or regulations in question and then refers the reader to agencies that can be contacted for further assistance. Copies are available from University of Delaware extension crops marketing specialist Carl German 302/738-2511. building a concensus about rural problems and solu tions. “More than 550 public meetings were held over an eight-year period resulting m new local laws to control subdivisions, a new zoing or dinance, and plan for hous ing, transportation and other local concerns. Walworth County’s efforts have preserved farmland by guiding development to poorer agricultural soils in areas where farm operations will not be disrupted. “The key for success was the involvement of local peo ple in deciding the future of the county. The plan itself was not as important as the public participation that built the community concen sus to preserve farmland,” Barrows said. Other policies mentioned by Barrows included agricultural zoning, farmland tax policies and purchase of development rights. Zoning has a poor track record in preserving farmland, but Barrows ex plains that the reason is because the zoning was not designed to protect farmland. “A few counties in the U.S. have successfully used zon ing to protect agricultural land. The zoning was design ed by rural people to protect their farm operations..” Some states have adopted a use-value assessment law which assesses farmland for tax purposes according to its value in producing agricultural commodities. DRAINAGE PROBLEMS? COCALICO EQUIPMENT HAS THE TWO MACHINES TO HANDLE YOUR DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. ★ Both Machines Equipped with Laser Beam Grade Control Drainage Pays High Returns COMPARE Investment Annual Return Even With the ConS6rVdtiV6 fig" KS3K 2 J3SS ures shown here ’ it* s Obvious that ll% land drainage should top farmers’ Bonds 6.1% I lists of investment priorities. V COCALICO EQUIPMENT CO. DRAINAGE & EXCAVATING RD #3, DENVER, PA 17517 Assessing farmland at market value resulted in taxes so high that many farmers were forced to sell land to speculators and developers. This farmland taxation system has not been suc cessful in states like Maryland and has been only moderately successful in other areas of the country. According to University of Illinois agricultural economist Harold Guither, government policies have a strong influence on land-use decisions. “The right of eminent do main allows government to acquire land for public pur poses, such as highways, air ports and parks, provided the owners are justly com pensated,” he said. “Regulatory devices in clude zoning, subdivision regulation, health, housing, plumbing and electrical codes and various nuisance ordinances,” according to Guither. He said “Federal income taxes probably have a much greater impact on land use than property tax. Deduc tions for real estate loans and property taxes lower the effective cost of land and provide incentives for own ing more than if the deduc tions were not allowed. As a consequence, the demand for land and housing has in creased. “Government decisions can result in subsidies in housing and community development activities or in incentives to remove land from agricultural uses. ★ We Stock Heavy Grade Tubing which Exceeds SCS Specifications. In sizes 4", 6”, 8", 10" and 12". ★ Also Pipe And Fittings For Tile Outlet Terraces. Lower interest rates and guaranteed credit encourage developers to build housing projects often on agricultural land instead of in the decaying areas of large cities,” Guither said. Other methods of en couraging development in clude selling tax-exempt bonds, providing properly tax exemptions for industry and providing sub sidies which all contribute to the disappearance of agricultural land, according toGuither. He concluded that “most land-use decisions depend on people and where they decide to live and work. Government’s role, then, is to direct those decisions by guiding the placement of work places and homes so that we use land carefully and do not destroy produc tive agricultural land.” PH: 215-267-3808