JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Discussion surrounding the Rights to Farm Act ensued just before the conclusion of the county commission’s November meeting.
Commissioner Paul Schafer, who presented the new county based law, explained he established the act as a means of protecting local farmers from losing their land to “unscrupulous” buyers. He recalled an incident that happened to him and his wife years prior, which saw them facing legal matters against buyers trying to purchase their land. At the time, development was on the rise surrounding their property, and the Schafers did not want to sell off the land. As development continued, complaints and legal action began being filed, leaving the Schafers no choice but to sell their land.
“I was forced to sell at a price that was, what I felt, below what I should have had,” said Schafer. “I want to protect our farmers here in Marion County.”
Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Logan Campbell made motion to strike down the agenda item, at least until it is further discussed in a workshop meeting. He explained his reasoning behind the decision was due to Tennessee already having laws protecting farmers and their properties. One such law is the Farmland Preservation Act, an act which helps financially support farmers aiming to keep their lands, ensuring each property’s general longevity into the future.
“Between the state law already being there and us not having those, I feel like that’s the reason I wanted it stricken,” said Campbell. “It’s already there, we’ve went leaps and bounds to listen to the people when it comes to the County Powers Act several years ago.”
While understanding of the state already having laws established, Commissioner Shafer nonetheless felt an additional law being implanted to the county would help add further levity and protection to community farmers, especially as ongoing development continues being prevalent within the county.
Despite discussion surrounding the proposed act, Campbell’s motion was unanimously approved in a 10-2 vote, leaving it stricken for the time being unless spoken about again in the future.