[gypsychic]

You can also check around Dade City/Zephyrhills (Pasco County) and up around Brooksville (Hernando County). Beautiful rolling land, with lots of hills here. Still an easy commute to Tampa/St. Pete, etc. Don't know prices, but this area has gone up a lot in the last few years.

Dade City was once all agricultural, but as old-timers died off or retired a lot of the land has been sold to developers. Still, it's a great area for growing pines, cattle/horses, orange groves, nurseries, etc. I think it's one of the most beautiful areas of Florida, myself, and yes I live here!

[hiknapster]

This has got to be the most encouraging thing I've read about Florida in a long time; people actually buying Florida land to use it for agricultural purposes. You should both be congratulated.

Sunny: Good luck. Government officials know darn well that those cows are sitting there and not being attended to. Someone is being paid off and they won't appreciate you hauling off their tax exemptions. Better have a news crew with you when the cops show up.

[sunrico90]

Check the Bonifay, Chipley, and Pace area, lots of different type of farms land available.

[jhlcomp]

Thanks HIKNAPSTER - it never occurred to us to do anything but use the land as true agriculture with a piece set aside for a dwelling. Why spoil the land? And this is coming from someone who has lived a pretty traditional suburban setting for most of her life.

Thanks to all for your comments.

[wacahootaman]

North Marion County is gorgeous but pricy. Land is cheaper in Columbia county and Madison county further north. Both have the rolling terrain for less than North Marion. The price of farmland has soared with the real estate bubble but there are starting to be some better deals out there now.

You can lease the land to someone who owns cows and that is the easiest way to get the Ag exemption. You wont get much money for the rent but will save big time on the taxes.

And the cattleman will maintain the fences and pastures so you dont need to do any hands on work unless you want to.

Sometimes, you can get an ag exemption for wooded property,without any pine plantations, just natural native timber.

[FL_TN_Nana]

A good place to search for vacant land or farms/ranches would be on unitedcountry dot com. They show several pieces of property around Bonifay and Madison and others. If you can find the property, Marion and Alachua are lovely!

[jhlcomp]

FL TN Nana - many thanks - that is an excellent site. Yes, Marion and Alachua are lovely.