Black hammock farm'S Out Reach Programs

Seminole Small Farm Alliance

Strength in Numbers, Roots in Community

Mission: The Seminole Small Farm Alliance provides mutual support, shared resources, and collective advocacy for small-scale agricultural operations in Seminole County, Florida. In a region where development pressure and bureaucratic obstacles threaten small farms, the Alliance ensures no farmer stands alone.

“The program operates on a simple premise: there is peace in the pasture.” — Kip Hudakoz.

The Problem We Address:

Small farms in Seminole County face challenges that large agricultural operations don't:

Agricultural classification battles — Property Appraisers may deny agricultural classification to legitimate operations, forcing small farmers into expensive appeals. The process is opaque, inconsistent, and financially devastating for operations already running on thin margins.

Regulatory navigation — Zoning codes, development orders, livestock regulations, water management permits—small farmers must navigate systems designed for larger operations or residential properties, often with little guidance.

Isolation — Unlike agricultural regions where farmers have built-in community, Seminole County's small farms are often islands surrounded by suburban development. Farmers lack peers who understand their challenges.

Resource limitations — Equipment, expertise, veterinary services, processing facilities—resources readily available in rural agricultural areas are scarce or expensive in transitional counties like Seminole.

What the Alliance Offers

Advocacy and Classification Support

Black Hammock Farm recently prevailed in a Value Adjustment Board appeal after the Property Appraiser denied agricultural classification despite the operation meeting every statutory requirement. The magistrate ruled decisively in our favor, criticizing the Appraiser's narrow interpretation.

That experience—including over $10,000 in legal costs and months of preparation—produced hard-won knowledge:

• How Florida Statute 193.461 actually works

• What documentation establishes "bona fide commercial agriculture"

• How to present evidence effectively to the VAB

• Which legal arguments succeed and which fail

• How to navigate the appeals timeline

Alliance members facing classification challenges don't start from zero. They start with our playbook, our documentation templates, and our experience. When possible, we can connect farmers with legal counsel who understand agricultural classification.

Shared Knowledge Base:

• Best practices for livestock in Florida's climate

• Veterinary and extension service contacts

• Equipment sharing and rental opportunities

• Processing and direct-sales guidance

• Grant and financing resources

• Insurance and liability considerations

Collective Voice:

Individual small farmers have little influence on county policy. A coalition of farms speaking together commands attention. The Alliance can:

• Engage with county commissioners on agricultural issues

• Participate in comprehensive plan updates affecting agricultural land

• Advocate for small-farm-friendly interpretations of regulations

• Build relationships with Planning, Zoning, and Property Appraiser offices

• Represent small agriculture in conversations currently dominated by development interests

Community Connection:

Regular gatherings—whether formal meetings or informal farm visits—break the isolation that small farmers experience. Problems shared are problems halved. Successes celebrated together build momentum.

Memembership:

The Seminole Small Farm Alliance welcomes:

• Operating farms of any size in Seminole County

• Farms pursuing agricultural classification

• Landowners considering agricultural use

• Agricultural operations in adjacent counties facing similar challenges

• Supporting members (non-farmers who support small agriculture)

Initial membership is informal—join our contact list, attend gatherings, participate in discussions. As the Alliance develops, we may establish more formal structure based on member needs.

Founding Principles

Non-partisan — Agricultural issues cross political lines. The Alliance advocates for small farms, not parties or candidates.

Collaborative with government — We work with county officials, not against them. The goal is partnership and mutual understanding, not adversarial relationships. Many officials simply don't understand small farm operations; education often resolves conflicts.

Respect for diversity — Small farms vary enormously: produce, livestock, nurseries, aquaculture, agritourism. All legitimate agricultural operations are welcome regardless of type or scale.

Rooted in heritage — Seminole County has deep agricultural history, from the celery fields of Black Hammock to the citrus groves that once covered the region. The Alliance honors that heritage while building agricultural futures.

Future Developement

• Formal organizational structure (nonprofit status consideration)

• Regular meeting schedule and communication channels

• Resource library (legal templates, documentation guides, contact lists)

• Annual small farm tour showcasing Alliance members

• Partnerships with University of Florida IFAS Extension

• Engagement with Florida Farm Bureau and other agricultural organizations

• Advocacy agenda developed collaboratively by members