AGRI-TOURISM IDENTIFYING A NEED TO EFFECT CHANGE IN HARRIS COUNTY ZONING REGULATIONS
Agricultural Economics & Community Development
Steve Morgan
County Extension Coordinator
University of Georgia
Hamilton
Abstract
Harris County, located in West Central Georgia is home to a very diverse group of 30,000 residents. Because of this diverse mix of farming and residential housing, A1 zoning (agricultural) is an important part of the local zoning as it provides the community with balance. However, as recent as 2007 zoning restrictions limited or prohibited some farming practices critical to the farm’s survival. Among these are Agri-Tourism activities. Zoning rules required farmers to apply for variances or special use permits to expand their business with new buildings or Agri-Tourism related activities. Some even require land to be zoned C4 (commercial). \r\nThis presentation will focus on programming efforts that expand the A1 zoning ordinance in Harris County. The result of collaborative efforts between Cooperative Extension and county government will produce a new agricultural zoning ordinance. This ordinance will allow Agri-Tourism and related activities to be viewed as an extension of existing agricultural practices. The revisions will include guidelines that make the new ordinance less intrusive on farmers who want to incorporate Agri-Tourism activities on their land. Once approved by the Harris County Commissioners, the University of Georgia Center for Agri-Business and Economic Development estimates an annual economic impact of 1.3 million dollars to the county. This accounts for 6.75% of the current farm gate value in Harris County.
Authors: Morgan, S.
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Morgan, S. Harris County Extension Coordinator, UGA Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 31811