CONTENTS

Wishing Star Gallop - Making Special Children's Dreams a Reality

Allegra Equine Formula Presents EquiMasters 2003

Book Preview - The Power of Horses

Youth of the Month - Kaitlin Ens

The Gallop Pole - Weaning Time

Washington State Foundation Quarter Horse Club News

Real Estate - Some Considerations When Buying Agricultural Land

UPCOMING ISSUES

January
Wishing Star

February
Paint

March
Quarterhorse

April
Arabian

May
Reining Horse

June
Gaited Horse

July
Fjord Horse

August
Trail & Recreational Riding

September
Ride the West

October
Miniature Horse

November
Open Breed

December
Open Breed

Don't forget
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next month's
publication."

REAL ESTATE:
Some Considerations When Buying Agricultural Land

Lifestyle
Rural living is a lifestyle decision to which the benefits will far outlast any drawbacks. Having said that I would also add...rural living is nothing like living in the suburbs or the city. The transition for some can be a difficult one. Fantasies about living a peaceful, independent, existence in the country, far from the maddening crowds, can soon turn to feelings of isolation and hardship. Many people buy rural property on a weekend binge or because it's the trendy thing to do. Deliberation and exploration should be made before packing up the wagon and heading out to the prairie.
County governments do not provide the same level of service such as those in the city. Those who move to get away from urban problems soon discover they no longer have the same conveniences that living in the city provides. The transition can be educational to say the least.
One can become very disillusioned with the hard work that comes with rural property ownership. Sometimes getting to work in the morning will mean rising before the sun to clear out a 500 foot drive way after a major snow storm. And in some cases not being able to get to work at all because the small county you live in only has two snowplows, which are not scheduled to dig you out for three days.
Legal Considerations
Prospective buyers of land are strongly advised to carefully inspect the property and make appropriate inquiries to determine whether there are any current or potential problems which could affect the use of the land for their intended purposes. Drawing up of a contract to protect a buyer from an unscrupulous seller should be considered.
Included in the contract should be the purchaser's intended use of the land. The contract should contain provisions, which enable it to be terminated if you find out, or tests reveal unacceptable residue or disease problems. Written answers to key questions should be sought from the seller.
Chemical Residues
The presence of chemical residues in animal and plant products can have a major impact on their marketability. Community sensitivity and market resistance to residues are increasing. The residues of major concern to land purchasers are those which persist in soil for prolonged periods (years or even decades). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used in transformers and hydraulics, which can leak and leave hot spots of contamination. Residues arising from the recent use of other chemicals can occur in animals and plants and persist for variable periods.
Buyers should inspect the property for evidence of potential sites of residual contamination, such as pesticide storage sheds, used drums or disposal sites; buildings, garbage dumps; or abandoned transformers and hydraulic equipment. They should also inquire about current and past agricultural practices on the property and in the area, such as intensive vegetable, fruit, tree, which could increase the risk of soil residues. Soil can be tested for specified residues.
Livestock Issues
Some livestock diseases can persist on contaminated land even when the property is de-stocked when sold. Again find out the history of a site before investing. Land that has been overgrazed can take years to return to its natural state. Land striped bare of vegetation can be highly eroded. Horses, sheep and cattle allowed to graze to long on a particular piece of land can do irreparable damage to the ground. Proper management in the past and future can effect the worth of the property. There are many new land management techniques that maintain a proper balance no matter how small the acreage. Agricultural extension offices offer free information and advise as how to best utilize land in regards to livestock.
Plant Diseases and Pests
Land purchasers who intend operating a horticultural or cropping enterprise should make themselves aware of relevant disease and pest problems, protection zones and regulations which apply in that county. The disease/pest history and current status of the property should be sought from the seller.
Noxious Weeds
Find out if the parcel of land you're interested in has noxious weeds on it. A guide to common noxious weeds is available through the Weed Board. If you buy a weed infested site you assume responsibility for those weeds, control of which can be quite expensive and legally binding.

The above article is a reproduction from the Small Acreage Land Owner (SALO) quarterly newsletter. The SALO newsletter is published quarterly by WSU Cooperative Extension in Spokane County. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter or have an inquiry, please contact John Fouts, County Extension Agent, Small Farms, Livestock, and Forages at 509-477-2176 or email fouts@wsu.edu

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