6 years ago Tony and Heather Peeters of Solstice Spices entered into an agreement with Bonnie Cavill of Cressfarm. The agreement was designed by Salt Lake County's Urban Farming division and called Farmlink. It's intent was to increase organic vegetable production and distribution along the Wasatch Front.

Basically, Bonnie would allow Tony and Heather to grow vegetables on her 3 acres and in exchange she would qualify for an agricultural tax rate.

The program was successful. Solstice Spices provided financial statements yearly as requested. They invested thousands of dollars in building two high tunnels, buying a small tractor, installing irrigation lines, and improving the soil with many truckloads of compost.

Then, a few weeks ago, Bonnie received a letter in the mail stating that Farmlink had been cancelled and her property would now be taxed at the residential rate. This is thousands of dollars of increased expenses on a woman who is 83 years old and trying to maintain a beautiful piece of land.

We believe Cressfarm should receive a special tax exemption due to the success of our agreement. Although others involved in Farmlink may have not been so successful, we have.

Right now, more than ever, we need locally produced food. Salt Lake County should be working to make life easier for small farmers, not harder.

Cressfarm is a unique place and should be protected. New developments are constantly happening in Salt Lake County and it's important to save some of our green spaces. Cressfarm got it's name because of the wild water cress that grows in the pond. There are artesian wells and Millcreek runs through the property. In 2021 Utah is experiencing it's worst drought ever, but Cressfarm still has water because Bonnie's father and grandfather built it to last.

Please add your support to keep the agricultural tax rate for Cressfarm in place.

Thank you.