Top 100 Farming Equipment in Cairns

1. Top 100 Farming Equipment in Cairns Find Farming Equipment ads in Cairns. Buy and sell almost anything on icracker classifieds. Free, local, classifieds, classified Ads, icracker, icracker.com.au, Cairns, Farming Equipment, classes, real estate, babysitter, dog, cat, shared rooms, pets, rental, apartments, apartment for rent, jobs, resume, cars, housing, furniture, personals, services, events, appliances marketplace, private, for free, search, find For more details: - https://cairns.icracker.com.au/automotive/farming-equipment Today's farmer faces unique challenges which threaten to continue the trend of developing our working farms without consideration of sustainable farming practices. These challenges arise from trends in several (seemingly unrelated) areas, which combine in unexpected ways to produce unintended results. Growth to accommodate the needs of a growing population naturally seeks as a solution the path of least economic and regulatory resistance. In many cases, this solution manifests itself in the development of available farms located close to population centres. To the farm owner, who is often land rich but cash poor, this is an option, as existing federal tax laws practically guarantee that the farm must eventually be sold and developed to pay the requisite estate taxes. One seemingly obvious solution to preserve our farms and promote sustainable farming would be more regulatory policy. Wetlands and floodplains have long been protected under federal legislation generated years ago. Why not enact similar mandates to preserve prime agriculture soils or working farms? Keep in mind the law of unintended consequences though, as trying to tighten the laws to preserve agriculture soils will actually promote the loss of farms, as farmers will be inclined to sell their farms if they perceive threats to the value of the property. Each of us would probably do the same if we thought the value of our house would be diminished from pending legislation. Moreover, anything tied to more

2. regulation or legislation will simply lead to more legal battles that in the long run achieve little toward farm preservation. A New Way If the current approach is not working, what, then, is the answer? One potential avenue to explore may be to learn from the efforts of non- profit organizations, whose approach to preserve open space frequently encourages limited development of farm acreage, while preserving the balance of the farm as open space. Current economic realities, though, suggest that the non-profits' approach may require some modification, as past successes were driven partially on the ability to take advantage of the tax codes in times of economic surpluses. The success of the many non- profits has been in thinking "outside the box" and seeking cooperative solutions. The next generation solution may involve incentivizing those involved in the development process to embrace sustainable farm practices for both crops and animals as part of development proposals. There is also a large opportunity to use some of the land set aside for open space for farming practices. Additionally, we have to become more proactive. No plan to save the farm should depend on tax benefits, government grants or subsidies. The plan has to work at the local level and it has to provide fair compensation to the farmer. The farmer, after all, will be assuming the financial risk and uncertainty of adopting a nontraditional and unproven approach to preserve a smaller but sustainable farm operation. Since local land use law is not set up to protect farms, the farmer, developer, local municipal leaders, and the local community must caucus and agree on how best to proceed. Initially, many developers may not be quick to embrace this approach, and same probably may also be true for municipal leaders, as this is an uncertain path that will rely heavily upon the belief in a better plan and a trust that neighbors and governing bodies will act responsibly. To achieve the desired result, it will be necessary to set aside existing zoning and land development ordinances that normally control density and design.

3. Instead, the focus must be on identifying farm resources needed for the farm to remain economically viable, and then crafting a plan for the balance of the land that compensates the farmer for effectively restricting forever a portion of his farm for continued farm operations. Compromise will be a component, as past efforts to preserve open space frequently prioritized setting aside wetlands, floodplain, steep slopes, wildlife habitat, tree masses, lands important as public views, etc., none of which are necessarily compatible with preserving high quality farm soils or preserving the operation of a farm. Procedural approval of the agreed plan will also present challenges, as most municipalities cannot spot-zone. One solution to this may be found in the use of overlay districts to existing zoning. The federal government may prove to be a hindrance though, as the laws governing the protection of wetlands and high-quality watersheds offer no room to look at the bigger picture and possible competing priorities. Educating the general public will also be an important element if this approach is to gain support, as many non-farmers do not fully appreciate the benefits of saving a farm. Saving our farms goes beyond just approving land development plans. We need to provide for the long-term operation and management of the farm. Near-term, providing the farmer is able and willing, the operation of the farm can remain with the existing farmer. Eventually, however, the existing farmer will be physically unable to continue with day-to-day management of operations, so any plan for saving the farm must provide for the long- term operation of the farm by providing for a farm manager. This includes providing the farm manager with farm facilities and property. The farm manager will not own the property, but will have the opportunity raise his family from income generated by the farm. The underlying assumption here is that, given the opportunity of land to farm and a place to live while doing it, there will be people with the ability, knowledge and drive to operate and manage the farm. Good, proven programs can help new farmers get started and manage. Pennsylvania offers a good example of programs that help. The Penn State Extension Program offers instruction for farmers on farming practices, writing business plans, disease control and farm management. The PA

4. Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) has programs to train farmers in soil management, water management, and business plans. PASA also supports buying fresh and buying local, which is important as the famers need a local market in which to sell the farm product. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative goes even further. In a CSA the farmer brings in local people to make modest investments each growing season, and possibly volunteer at the farm, in exchange for each member sharing in the vegetables and produce grown that season.