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Keeping Farmers Farming: A Survey of the Challenges Facing Orange County Farmers 13 <br />' Other Federal regulations <br />County watershed regulations <br />C. Taxes <br />7. Is your land taxed at its agricultural use value? (Mark one) Yes No <br />8. Do you consider taxes to be a strong factor in the profitability of your agricultural operation? <br />(Mark one) Yes No Do not know <br />9. Which of the following would be most beneficial to your agricultural operation? (Please rank in order, 1=most <br />beneficial. ) <br />Lower taxes on farmland <br />Lower taxes on farm buildings <br />Lower taxes on farm machinery <br />D. Profitability <br />10. Is your agricultural operation profitable? (Mark one) Yes No Break-even <br />11. What aze the factors that limit your profits most? (Please rank in order, 1=most limiting factor) <br />Equipment costs Fertilizer/chemical costs <br />Availability of qualified labor at affordable prices Land costs too high to expand operation <br />Lack of markets for products Taxes <br />Lack of interest by family members to continue operation <br />Scale of agricultural operation is too small to be profitable <br />Other (please specify) <br />E. Changes in Land Use <br />12. Have the land uses bordering your land changed in the last 10 years? <br />(Mark one) Yes No <br />13. If so, what is the new use? (Mazk all that apply) <br />Residential Development <br />Public or private road <br />Change in farm use activity <br />Commercial <br />Industrial <br />Other (please specify)- <br />14. Have development activities azound and near your farm affected your agricultural operation? <br />(Mark one) For better For worse No effect <br />F. Operational Hindrances <br />15 <br />What are the major problems hindering your agicultural operation? (Please rank in order, 1=worst problem) <br />Theft of farm property by trespassers Litter problems/Illegal dumping <br />Injury to livestock by trespassers Crop loss due to trespassers <br />Vandalism of equipment vehicles Vandalism of fences/structures <br />Crop loss due to wildlife Other (please specify) <br />Non-farming neighbors <br />Appendix A <br />