I just bought 23 acres in Hood county that is not Ag exempt. We plan to move there full time in 12-18 months, but I'd like to get the 5 year process started ASAP. Any recommendations on who to contact first to make sure I don't waste a bunch of time and money? AI mentioned TAMU Agrilife. Others have mentioned going directly to the Appraisal district and talking to someone. What do you recommend? Thanks

I agree with the above reply as the first step.

Here's some more info/tips.. When I was doing this in a different county you could have a neighbor state that he knew it was used for ag and state the use. A letter would work. Also, go down to the local USDA office and have them write a letter.

Jv106 said:

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Also, go down to the local USDA office and have them write a letter.

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What do you mean here?

Jv106 said:

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I agree with the above reply as the first step.

Here's some more info/tips.. When I was doing this in a different county you could have a neighbor state that he knew it was used for ag and state the use. A letter would work. Also, go down to the local USDA office and have them write a letter.

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The CAD knows the history on the property; whether or not it was previously under 1-d-1.

Congrats on the land!

You said not currently ag exempt but has it been in Ag Use any recently?

Mas89 said:

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You said not currently ag exempt but has it been in Ag Use any recently?

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It has not for at least the last 7 years. Not sure before that. I wish the people before me had done something so I didn't have to start completely at the beginning. Oh well, will be a fun/hard experiment for my kids.

We bought a piece in Brazos co that had been in ag but the 3 years prior to purchase had not. Guy had stock on the place but didn't fill out his paperwork to keep it.
We had to put ag on it for the rest of the purchase year plus 5 years and had to wait until that next January to apply. Then it wasn't retroactive for last year. Had to wait until appraisals to come out in April to find out if we got it. It can be a pain. But financially it is worth it. Especially with Brazos county raw land appraisal values.

Just make sure and take pics for 5+ years with date stamps showing your ag activity. Plus receipts of fertilizer, chems, baling, sales, etc. If that is what you are intending to do. If bees are your deal, I have no idea.

I think you can put a couple of bee boxes out there and get Ag exemption on up to 20 acres. You just need a certain number of hives per acre but only good for up to 20 acres, if I recall correctly. If you're over 20 acres, easiest method for your exemption is probably finding someone with cows and get a grazing lease in place. Maybe hay production is the second easiest method to get the exemption - or could it be easiest but more expensive?

I got super-lucky with my land purchase. Sellers already had it on a wildlife management plan, which takes 7 years instead of 5. ...or i guess it takes 5 years to get Ag first before you can apply or something like that. But i was able to get a plan filed with the county and continue it and not have to start over.