It is of importance to add “jobs,” an opinion voiced all over our country.
Our communities need the monies provided by taxes to support our schools, fire departments, police and other services we have come to expect from our government. Property taxes and sales taxes are a product of entrepreneurs that create enterprise and jobs.
In rural Kosciusko County we have a zoning that describes over 95 percent of the non city limits land as “agricultural” because the method that we use this land is for creating food and fiber to feed and clothe the world.
Taxes that are used to support the infrastructure in south Kosciusko County come from local endeavors, which are well over 60 percent agricultural in nature. The American farmer on average is feeding 155 people in the world at the present time; and the population is growing at a rate that requires us to feed more people in the world each year.
When a farmer desires to expand his farm he must meet certain criteria that fulfills the requirements of fiscal responsibility toward his lending institution, which will provide the capital to expand. He must also fulfill requirements of state and local governments.
Lately, two family farms, that are in the third generation, have begun a process to allow them to raise animals for human consumption. In the process they have met with a few persons that are in opposition to their choice.
In the oppositions’ opinion it would be wrong for a farmer, paying the majority of the tax burden from the income from his land, to raise meat for human consumption, while it is acceptable for the same farmer to raise grain for the animals’ consumption.
This is not well thought through in my opinion. The ability to raise food for consumption all-year round instead of the limitation of during the growing season as grain crops limits the farmer’s opportunities as well as the availability of food.
The land that is in question has been established as agricultural land for over a hundred years, and those that object to its use as that have only recently purchased or built in agriculturally zoned areas.
The objections seem to fall into the “not in my back yard” category, without the benefit of science, or a willingness to observe similar facilities recently put into use. These animal care facilities being proposed are well designed, well situated, and the products that are produced are needed for the future generations to have a continuing supply of food, like we have learned to expect.
If one lives in a residential zone, it is expected that animals will not be a source of income; but when one chooses to live in an agriculturally zoned area, he should not find agricultural endeavors objectionable.
Craig Latham, farmer Jackson Township, Kosciusko County
