Mar 28, 2017 3 min read

Everything printed in your March 17 article concerning my questioning of the Clean and Green tax relief program in Washington County is true. The information that was omitted is more interesting.

The Clean and Green law requires 10 acres or more to be recognized as a farm, or less than 10 acres if it produces more than $200,000 per year of agricultural products. My market, located in McMurray, sells fruits and vegetables. We also provide a “cut your own herbs” program at the market. These herbs are grown in our greenhouse and in containers located around the lot. I am wondering why I have been denied Clean and Green assessment for my market when I meet the requirements.

In the article, J. Lynn DeHaven, the county’s solicitor, pointed out that we sold a piece of property 15 years ago and I built a house on the remaining property. What Dehaven failed to say is that we used the income from the sale to purchase another 150 acres in Hickory. The remaining money was used to operate Simmons Farm. I wonder if Dehaven knows that just because we sold a piece of our farm 15 years ago that it does not disqualify the remaining property from the Clean and Green program. So why are my farm buildings not being included in the program? As for my house, Dehaven failed to say that I had applied for the Clean and Green homestead designation for many, many years and was denied each time. I finally received the designation after contacting the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Office. I wonder if I will receive compensation for the many years I was denied the Clean and Green homestead designation.

My family pays approximately $18,000 per year in property taxes on our farm. That amount will be increasing. Our sole source of income comes from the produce grown on our farm. We receive $1 for one tomato at our markets. We must condition the soil, plant, pick, sort and sell 18,000 good tomatoes to pay our Washington County property taxes. This is before paying for seeds, labor, fuel and other vendors. Can I justify farming in Peters Township?

I hope Washington County’s commissioners will evaluate the county tax office procedures when it comes to the Clean and Green law and help farmers receive the lowest rate available.

Robert W. Simmons

McMurray

Simmons is the co-owner of Simmons Farm.