Comment submitted by Cotton Hills Farm
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: A small-scale produce farmer expresses concern that the proposed fungicide regulations would impose a significant financial and administrative burden on small family operations. The commenter requests an exemption for farms with less than 1,000 acres and suggests that educational efforts on best practices should precede new regulations.
I have reviewed these new proposed rules and have concerns as a grower of row crops, fruits, and vegetables. I grow about 300 acres of fresh produce that I sell directly in my local community. I focus on quality and telling the story of what good, responsible agriculture is all about to both my wholesale and retail customers. These changes in regulations would be a major financial burden to an operation my size. My staffing is small and adding additional paperwork responsibilities would be a real challenge for us at a time that we are already stretched thin. I would ask that if changes must move forward, that farms with less than 1,000 acres in production be exempt. Small family farms are very different that large operations. Most chemical applications are made by myself, my father, or my nephew. We work very hard to be good neighbors and to value our soil and water. I would recommend that before any new regulations regarding this are implemented, that an educational effort be done first to educate farmers of best practices. Thank you for your consideration.