This is not a Houston thing. It's a Texas thing.
I sit on 110 acreas and I raise Axis deer. It is ONLY for a tax dodge. However I think I should get some break for keeping 110 acres from going to 5 acre lots and I do make a profit from the deer.
There are subdivisions containing over a hundred lots around here where the acreage of each lot is set at 12 or so acres and each lot owner gets an ag exemption. This is corrupt. Our local very rural school district is suffering. Our whole county is suffering. We just plain need more money.
I predicted this would come to pass ten years ago when I bought this place. Just couldn't believe I was getting away with such a blatant scam.
There are several multi-thousand acre (up to 35,000) ranches in Central Texas that keep just a few cows running around to maintain their ag exemption. They are owned by guys like Red McCombs.
Reform is coming.
This is rich... You deserve a tax break for preventing other people from being able to own their own property???
There are subdivisions containing over a hundred lots around here where the acreage of each lot is set at 12 or so acres and each lot owner gets an ag exemption. This is corrupt...
Your rural schools are suffering. You employ a TAX DODGE! You claim you DESERVE it! You claim others are "corrupt" for employing the SAME tax dodge!