Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Farmland Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stewardship plea: Farmer urges supervisors to honor A1 agricultural protections
Summary
Jeremy Yang, a local farmer and consultant, told the board that once good farmland is paved over it is "gone forever," and urged supervisors to follow Culpeper’s comprehensive plan and A1 Agricultural District guidelines to preserve farmland across generations.
Jeremy Yang, a farmer who said he operates several Culpeper County farms and works as a farm consultant, told the Board of Supervisors that decisions on development will shape the county for generations and urged officials to protect agricultural land.
"Once farmland is developed, it's gone forever," Yang said, arguing that farmland cannot be reclaimed in the way buildings or farm equipment can be rebuilt. He cited the county comprehensive plan, saying it "states that Culpeper's A1 Agricultural District exists to protect and encourage agriculture and forestry" and asked the board to honor the plan and the wishes of citizens who created it.
Yang framed the issue as an intergenerational stewardship decision: "Farmers think in terms of generations," he said, contrasting that with what he described as politicians’ shorter election-cycle perspective. He urged supervisors to make choices that preserve rural character, protect clean water and wildlife habitat, and support local businesses that depend on agriculture.
The board did not take formal action on the comments during the meeting; Yang’s remarks were presented as public comment urging adherence to the comprehensive plan.
