The Auburn assessors’ “fair market agricultural prices” of $800 per acre may reflect prices paid by “weekend farmers” and others seeking a rural residence. That figure does not, however, accurately reflect long-term survival values for bona fide farmers and woodsmen.

The income of bona fide farmers and woodsmen is dependent upon each acre’s ability to generate income.

The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Revenue Services, is charged with providing current land-value estimates for each county based upon income streams available to generate farm and forest income.

The state’s current suggested farm-forest values for Androscoggin County are: softwood, $334 per acre; hardwood, $127 per acre; mixed, $205 per acre; hay land, $325 per acre; potato land, $400 per acre.

Most of the farm-forest land in Auburn is near or below the county average in productive potential. Any possible location advantages are more than offset by additional roadside trash and trespass.

Trees, cows and potatoes require very little education and other municipal services. While bona fide farms and forests generate significant economic benefit, (dairy farm dollars have a multiple of seven as they flow through the economy), Auburn’s farms and woodlands reduce the impact of urban sprawl. This freely provided, nearby open space requires no state or local bond expenditures.

Real life economics dictate that if Auburn wants the ongoing benefits of bona fide farm and forest income and open space, then land values cannot exceed the land’s ability to generate income.

Maurice Keene, Auburn