Hmmmmmmm, said I.

Farmwithjunk · Nov 4, 2005

I don't know just how to take this one.

I'm always looking for free or at least cheap hay ground to cut. There's a field next to our place that looks like I could get a few bales off of it next summer. Nothing on the place, about 5 to 7 acres I'd guess.

I dropped in to the county office last week to find out who owned it. I found out it belonged to "a church" (of which, I won't mention the denomination) that's right across the highway. OK! Progress!

I found out that they were having a board of directors meeting last night. What better time to approach them about mowing the place for the hay I could get off of it. Sounds like a mutually benificial deal. The best kind!

I called the Pastor. He didn't seem too friendly. He referred me to the chairman of their board. He seemed LESS friendly.

I was told straight up to "Stay off their land, and don't bother us anymore". Hmmmmmmmm, said I.

What ever happened to common courtesy? Granted, what I wanted was primarily for me, but it would have prevented them from paying someone to mow the place. (As I have found out they currently do) And even if they weren't interested, why not give me a courtious, mannerly "NO THANK YOU"?

Hmmmmmmmmmm, said I.

riptides · Nov 4, 2005

They will find the errors of their ways come next season.

Too bad for their small mindedness, seems they are have found each other.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RedRocker · Nov 4, 2005

They're not waiting on a comet or anything are they? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Farmwithjunk · Nov 4, 2005

No, but now that you mention it, there was several packs of Cool-Aid sitting on a table by the water cooler.........

Nasty135 · Nov 4, 2005

When I was working in Wash.DC. first 2/3 of my career there was a "CHURCH" called "Hot Wheels church of love" /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It was in N.E. on the other side of the tracks and under a bridge... I could only imagine what was preached in that joint

Maybe this Church is a NATURE LOVING BUNCH of worshippers?? Is it kept as grass or a field? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Who knows what goes through the minds of men(once they've sipped the kewlaid)

Farmwithjunk · Nov 4, 2005

We live in an area controlled by a city ordinance on "unimproved, non-agricultural fields". Grass must be kept mowed to a highth no more than 10" on any property (under 20 acres) adjoining residential property. This ground falls into that catagory. They have to mow it 3 to 5 times a year from what I understand. (We just moved into our place with-in the last month) If I was to start cutting it as hay, it would then meet the AG exemption on that ordinance, although I'd be keeping it cut to less than 10" anyway.

I'm sure someone has their reason to not allow me on the property, but I'd expect a more polite answer from "church people".

MikePA · Nov 4, 2005

Could be as simple as;

1. You caught them in a bad mood
2. They had sensitive/important topics to discuss at the meeting
3. They've been bugged by other people who wanted to do something similar.
4. They're getting ready to sell the land.
5. They don't feel like working through an agreement to allow you to farm the land, e.g., what happens if you're hurt, or someone else is hurt, while haying the field. Workman's Comp issues, etc.

EddieWalker · Nov 4, 2005

Sometimes the person that is hired to do a job is a friend or family member. Could be those in charge would rather pay a person to do a job if there's a reason.

Liability is another concern. If your doing it for free, and you get hurt while on their land, their insurance probably wont cover it, but a bonded, insured profesional would remove them from that liability.

You asked and were told no, sounds like you lost nothing. Too bad they were rude about it, but I know I can be that way sometimes when I get people coming to me when I'm not in the mood to deal with them.

Eddie

Farmwithjunk · Nov 4, 2005

I have all the proper insurance for this "exersize".

From what I'm told, the land was donated to the church. (left to them through an estate) They use one small corner of the property for a parking area for their bus.

I'm just suprised at how "church people" can be so rude. I'm not talking a blunt "no", I got a "get out and stay out" reaction. Not at all the sort of thing I would think ANY organization would like to present as their "image" to a new resident of their town.

I was told just a few minutes ago, by someone "in the know", that this church has a reputation of being "snooty" with the rest of the community. The old "Holier-than-Thou" sort of thing.

Again, I'm not upset with their decision. I'm flabbergasted at their manners (or lack there-of)

meledward23 · Nov 4, 2005

Could be why many people view Church Goers in Bad Light.

Now I have the exact opposite problem.

I said to the Pastor the other day "What is the deal with this church work day", after listening to him, I say well I have a few ideas for the Front sign.... Now, I am responsible for tearing out, replacing, and maintaing all landscaping in proximity to the front sign. I sure as heck am not going to mention the other 101 problems with the Landscape maintenance at this place /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

At least not till my youngings are old enough to be brow beat into doing my work for me.....

escavader · Nov 4, 2005

Look that field over closer,they probably got some funny weed growing in it and didnt want you to bail it.MABEY th hat being passed around on sunday is empty,so they are "RAISING IT" in other ways /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
ALAN

California · Nov 4, 2005

Rastafarians? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Nah, they would be friendlier than that.

Farmwithjunk · Nov 5, 2005

And then there's the TRUTH.

I just found out why all the mystery surrounding the land. The church, and a few of it's members are trying to sneak past the surrounding neighbors, and get a zoning change on the property. They want to put "low rent patio homes" on the place. (read Sec. 8 housing) Seems they didn't want to even talk about the place with anyone that might be opposed to their plan.

The property is land-locked. They either have to go over MY property, over a right-of-way belonging to the area water company, or THROUGH a lake.

I'm not selling, the water company is a public utility. I don't see them involved in a private development, and the lake is part of a protected wetlands project of the states.

This aughtta get quite interesting before it's over.

(We just bought the place where we live. I'm also being told that the church was attemting to buy this place. They were preparing an offer when I found it, fell in love with it, made an offer that was accepted in a matter of hours, signed a contract, closed, and moved in all in less than a month. Seems I got the jump on 'em, and they're a bit upset.)

escavader · Nov 5, 2005

After the way they treated you,i wouldnt even think about letting them cross my property.If they ask, say no ,then make an unreasonable offer on the land.If they say no,just hold tight,theyll get sick of paying taxes,on useless land...serves em right. IM KIND OF BITTER TONIGHT...MABEY IM TIRED /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
ALAN

Cowboyjg · Nov 6, 2005

A sad example of how it's "What you do" not "What you say". One has to wonder if the congregation knows of it's leaders actions... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

pennwalk · Nov 6, 2005

I hope the church is planing to do much more that just build houses. A project like that needs to be done as a community project. More often than not low income residents have needs that may not be available in your area. We had some low income housing build in our town. They had to extend the bus routes. In the schools they had to add all kinds special programs. I see the police cruisers parked over there pretty often so I'm sure they had to add to police coverage. I sure I don't even know all the added stuff the community had to do. It is probably a good thing to do but the community needs to plan it all out.

Chris

beenthere · Nov 6, 2005

Our nearby village added "low income" housing (local builder went after the funds available to build it) and with only 8 'units', the police and ambulance calls went up so now 2/3 of the calls are at this complex. Guess they have to live somewhere. (and yes, they justified going from 3 policemen to 5 after this, and had the first year paid for by the Clinton 'cops' program for one of them). /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Nasty135 · Nov 6, 2005

( they justified going from 3 policemen to 5 after this ) 

Did Andy & Barney deputise Goober , Gruber & Otis /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Farm, Watch out for eminent domain, for the entrance issue of the church folks( don't know if its possible or not)and their little project...