Free Money from the Feds is you own fallow land, I'm applying!

[Hugh R]

Following up on Supe's "double standard" thread, I found a way to get some of my tax dollars back. I own 18 acres of land in SoCal that is part of my house that I can't do anything with (CC&Rs) and it's generally not developable anyway. I stumbled on, actually searched for a government subsidy and found the "Grassland Reserve Program" nationally, it pays about $200/acre on average to let land lay fallow and be grasslands. You have to sign a contract to not develop or use the land for other than letting it grow grass. For me, that is around $3,600 per year (maybe more in Los Angeles). I've scheduled an appointment with the US Department of Agriculture to inspect my property next week. I think the application process is pretty minimal (Question, "How will you manage your grasslands? Answer, I'll let it just sit there and not do schit). If you own a few acres that just sit, you might want to apply. The next application submission process is expected to be around Feb. 2011. You sign a 5, 10 20 or 30 year contract. Ten years works for me because in about 10 years I expect to retire and move. Sweet, getting $36,000 over the next ten years for doing absolutely nothing with my land works for me. I wish I'd thought of it 12 years ago when I bought the house. Here is the link. Find your local Ag office on the lower left side of the home page. Grassland Reserve Program | NRCS

[Rick Lee]

Bleed the beast, Hugh. Bleed the beast.

[pwd72s]

Getting some of your tax money back...Bravo! I'm sure our resident envrionmentalist would agree, right?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Thanks for the link - might apply for this place; a portion of it is wetlands and would be difficult to get a permit to develop.

[red-beard]

This is exactly why the Department of Ag needs to be eliminated. I have another *****, but I'll start a new thread.

[porsche4life]

My grandmother has a quarter section in that program. Its in the middle of BFE so no one wants to farm it.... About the only way for it to make any money....

[The Gaijin]

We have a decent bit of property. Damn trees! Time to get out the chain saw.

[legion]

I believe there is a program for forest/tree-covered property too.

[ODDJOB UNO]

now stop and think about ALL THE REVENUE that you would make if:


YOU OPENED A "6-FLAGS OVER JESUS" AMUSEMENT PARK!


or lease it out to BRITISH PETROLEUM? and have well derricks singing away 24/7/365.


or a hunting preserve with lions and tigers and bears OH MY!


or an OFF ROAD RACE COURSE WITH LIGHTS!



and the best.....................a "PORSCHE ONLY PRIVATE RACE TRACK"

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by legion

I believe there is a program for forest/tree-covered property too.

We are in the middle of NYC watershed area. They would love to buy the property and they pay top dollar. Another option is to sell the development rights to the City - but that is a one time check and then you are severely restricted in what you can do after that.. Taxes are not as cheap as they should be.

A 10 or 20 year program would be about right.

[Drdogface]

Thanks for the link...I have about 15 acres just sittin' idle... I can use the cash and would love to Bleed the Beast

[island911]

$200, huh? ...and how much land tax do you pay each year? :-/

[Hugh R]

Under Prop 13, I pay around $4,000 in taxes per year for the assessed value of the property plus almost an equivalent amount in "Special Assessments" for mosquito abatement, street lighting, roads, sewer, stormwater, etc. Funny thing, I live on a private road and get zero street lighting, mosquito or road repair on my street. The assessments are for the "area".

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

(Question, "How will you manage your grasslands? Answer, I'll let it just sit there and not do schit). | NRCS[/url]

Anytime you need help with this just give me a call and I'll bring the lawn chairs and a six pack.

[Hugh R]

Maybe I can hire you to do said "work" and write off your labor against my tax liability for the Federal pork I'll be receiving. Trouble is, you'd have to pay the taxes. I'd have to 1099 you for the cost of the six pack.

[Zeke]

Isn't this sorta contrary to posts and other views you have held in the past?

[mca]

Wow, a lot can happen in 10 years. What if you need to sell the land?

[Hugh R]

Government has too many giveaways, I agree. But when the government TAKES from me more money than the average family of four in the US even earns, I'm trying to legally take some back. Am I a hypocrite? I don't think so, they shouldn't offer this kind of program in the first place.

MCA:

No, I can't do anything with the land due to CC&Rs and zoning restrictions. It would present a revenue stream for a future buyer as well, who couldn't do anyting with the land either. It's a flag lot so to speak.

[RWebb]

I thought was only for farmers??

[Hugh R]

No, any land eligible for farming or grazing, I'm zoned for grazing