Today I received my 2011 property tax bill and about fell out of my chair. All I know is I have made about 30% less income over the last 3 years, yet my property taxes have gone up about 40% over the same period. I have began an investigation to see if it is possible to declare my property or a portion thereof, as agricultural, using honeybees. I was a little discouraged at first, finding a few court cases in other states where the ruling was negative. Then, I ran across a Texas apiary inspector who told me the story of his duaghter who had successfully obtained an ag exemption on her 10 ac with as few as 15 hives. He cited the specific publication, 2011 Texas Agriculture Statistics, and the section which clearly list honeybees as a "qualified alternative livestock".
My question is, who do i need to contact to begin the process and how many hives do you think would be necessary to show full utilization of my 18 ac? Of the 18 ac, about 12 of them are covered with native wildflowers in a good year. Any thoughts or experience in dealing with this?
My question is, who do i need to contact to begin the process and how many hives do you think would be necessary to show full utilization of my 18 ac? Of the 18 ac, about 12 of them are covered with native wildflowers in a good year. Any thoughts or experience in dealing with this?