>>I also have many requests from people who want bees on their property due 
>>to
>>tax incentives.
>
> Could you provide more details about how the incentives are implemented 
> and
> by what agency?
>
> Thanks
> Kathy

In the quickly developing collar counties around the Chicago area owners of 
large tracts are being hit with huge tax bills because of the value of the 
land as a residential development... even if they have no intention of 
selling to a developer.  If it is in active agriculture, it still qualifies 
for farm assessment - pennies on the dollar compared to residential lots. 
Many of these people own land that is not appropriate for planting a crop 
and they don't want to graze cows.  Bees seem attractive.  What I have been 
told is that assessors will allow 3/4 acre of ag for every colony of bees on 
the property.  (This allotment only makes sense if you are thinking as 
bureaucrats do.)  I have been contacted by individuals who know just how 
many hive are needed for the size of property they own.

As has been mentioned previously, many of these inquiries do not understand 
the economics of their request.

Larry Krengel 

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned 
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html