US(VA): Tax relief backed for Culpeper-grown greenhouse products

At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Culpeper County Board Rules Committee unanimously recommended expanding the local code to specify "other products" eligible for tax exempt status to include Christmas trees, green roofing plants, sod, landscaping plants, flowers, honey and the various fruits and vegetables grown in Culpeper, as well as all products grown in area greenhouses.

"We should encourage any steps to promote agriculture, the foundation of our community," said County Administrator Ernie Hoch.

If approved by the board, the additional exemptions would result in an estimated $50,000 reduction in tax collections, he said.

Not included on the list of additional tax exemptions — as some in the farm community have advocated — is any augmented tax relief for machinery or equipment. The county code only allows for tax exemptions on farm machinery, implements and trailers used in grain and/or livestock farming. Exempted products only include those involved in the growing and harvesting of crops, Hoch said.

"We draw the line at manufacturing," he said of other products or methods that support agricultural products like processing equipment for grains or other methods used to add value to farm products.

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