This is the time of year, in our Farm Bureau seasons, that new issues arise that members surface for discussion, debate and possible inclusion in our policy book. We call it “policy development.” Once a policy concept is articulated and developed in writing, it is presented to the Farm Bureau membership at our annual meeting in October and voted up by the members present. If a policy is adopted, it then is deemed a “position” on a particular issue.
In the last several months a new issue has come forward regarding animal agriculture, horses specifically. The question is does Long Island Farm Bureau have a position how many horses per acre should be allowed on residential properties? As of today, LIFB does not have a position on that issue.
Back in 1992 I wrote state legislation with Senator LaValle and others to give agricultural tax assessment benefits to commercial horse boarding operations by getting them defined as agricultural operations. The law required that to be defined as a “Commercial Horse Boarding Operation” the landowner needed to have at least 10 horses (not his own), make $10,000 dollars gross income, and have 10 acres of land. The law was amended in the last couple of years to reduce the acreage requirements to 7 acres of land. Again, this provision in New York State Agriculture and Markets Law is to define the horse boarding business the right and ability to have property tax benefits if they meet the criteria.
The issue of how many horses per acres is appropriate for discussion at the town level of government as a zoning code matter. It is strictly land use policy at the town level and that’s where the question has come up at Agricultural Committee meetings and Planning Boards. Long Island Farm Bureau does not and has not taken a position on this issue. Long Island Farm Bureau and New York Farm Bureau support animal agriculture as an industry as set forth in the Laws of New York, Counties and local governments laws and regulations.
We have received several comments back from “Face Book” and blogs that the issue of animals density on residential properties is none of the Farm Bureaus’ business. As of right now, that is true. But, if our members want a policy after we go through the policy development process, we may or may not take a position. For people in the community who are concerned about the issue, you need to practice democracy and be prepared to discuss, debate and involve yourself in public policy at the town board level. Certainly you should build alliances with other people and organizations that think like you do or have similar point of view.
The notion that residential property interests such as people’s rights to have horses on their properties is none of our business is undemocratic. Farmers and all Farm Bureau members have the right, as does Farm Bureau, to participate and shape public policy. As an organization, we stand to fight for private property rights, even for non-farmers but don’t ever tell me that we don’t have the right as an organization to stand for whatever the policies of the organization are. The policies of Long Island Farm Bureau come from the majority of members after a democratic process. The policies aren’t my opinion although I generally support the views of our membership.