Alabama

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Alabama 2003 Survey of Rural Land Issues
College of Agriculture Auburn University
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Survey Questions
What are the attitudes of Alabamians regarding
rural land use in Alabama A. Ownership and
motivations for purchase B. Perceived economic
value C. Acceptable rural land uses D.
Maintenance and protection E. Perceived roles
of ACES and AAES
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Methodology

• Statewide telephone study conducted by the Auburn
  University Center for Governmental Services
  during May 2003
• Randomly selected sample of 462 Alabama
  households
• Margin of error is /- 5

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Sample Characteristics

• Sample corresponded relatively well to the
  composition of adult Alabamians, particularly
  with respect to race, age, and employment status.
  
• 10.6 of sample earn some income through
  agricultural activity.
• 24.0 of sample live in unincorporated
  communities.

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Survey Findings
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A. Rural Land Ownership Survey Questions

• Current land ownership and likelihood to make
  future rural land purchases.
• Motivations for past and future purchases of
  rural land

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A-1. Rural Land Ownership

• 42.8 of the sample currently own rural land in
  Alabama.
• 21.7 have made at least one rural land purchase
  during the past decade.
• 38.7 indicate being somewhat or very likely to
  purchase rural land in the future.
• Current rural land owners were more likely to
  express an interest in future purchases (48.2)
  than non-rural landowners (31.6).

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A-2. Rural Land Ownership

• Most have purchased rural land in the past to use
  for current or retirement residences, or as
  investments.
• Fewer respondents have purchased rural land for
  occupational or recreational uses.
• Reasons cited for future purchases were similar
  to those of past purchases for residences or
  investments.

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Motivations for Past Future Purchases of Rural
Land
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B. Perceived Economic Value of Rural Land Survey
Questions

• Perceptions of current versus fair annual taxes
  on rural land.
• Attitudes toward the consideration of rural land
  usage in establishing tax rates.
• Attitudes toward maintaining low rural property
  tax rates.

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B-1.Perceived Economic ValueEstimates of Current
versus Fair Annual Taxes on Rural Land
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B-1.Perceived Economic ValueEstimates of Current
versus Fair Annual Taxes on Rural Land
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B-2. Perceived Economic Value

• 76.7 believe that Alabamas rural land should be
  taxed on its current use, and not on the lands
  future potential value.
• Most respondents report that Alabamas rural
  property taxes should be equal to (52.8) or
  lower than (27.2) taxes in neighboring states.

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B-3. Perceived Economic Value

• Respondents were somewhat divided about how taxes
  on active farmland should compare to taxes on
  forestland.

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B-4. Perceived Economic Value

• Opinions about the percentage of Alabama land
  covered by woodland or forest were also varied.

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B-5. Perceived Economic Value

• Participants rated their level of agreement with
  the statement Alabama counties should maintain a
  relatively low property tax rate on rural land,
  even if it means having to raise sales taxes or
  other taxes.
• 40 agreed or strongly agreed
• 50 disagreed or strongly disagreed

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C. Rural Land Usage Survey Questions

• What types of rural land uses are personally
  acceptable to Alabamians in their own counties?
• Attitudes toward the development of rural land
  for economic benefit versus land preservation.

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C-1. Rural Land Usage

• Respondents indicated whether or not each of 11
  land uses would be acceptable

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C-2. Rural Land Usage

• Participants chose 1 of 3 statements reflecting
  personal philosophies toward rural land use
• We should attempt to use it for its maximum
  economic benefit (7.6)
• We should discourage development and convert as
  much rural land to natural areas as possible
  (12.8)
• We should attempt to balance the use of rural
  land for both economic benefit and preservation
  of natural areas (76.7)

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D. Maintenance Protection Survey Questions

• Attitudes toward government involvement in the
  maintenance and protection of Alabamas rural
  land.
• How do Alabamians view the role of government,
  balanced with the rights and responsibilities of
  landowners?

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D-1. Maintenance Protection

• 56.1 agreed that rural landowners should be
  awarded government subsidies to maintain land in
  its natural state.
• 61.3 agreed that more rural land should be put
  into protected state or national forests.

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D-2. Maintenance Protection
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D-2. Maintenance Protection
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E. Perceived Roles of ACES AAES Survey
Questions

• Do Alabamians perceive that the Alabama
  Cooperative Extension System and Agricultural
  Experiment Stations be doing more, less, or the
  same amount of work across a variety of rural
  land activities?

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E-1. Perceived Roles of ACES AAES

• Few respondents indicated that ACES and AAES
  should be doing less in any activity area.
• The greatest perceived needs for increased
  assistance were in the areas of conservation
  (65.7), rural planning projects (63.0), and
  improving row crop agriculture (62.6).

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Summary

• Among rural landowners, property was purchased
  primarily for residences, retirement, or
  investment.
• Most Alabamians believe that rural land should be
  taxed on the basis of its current value, not on
  the lands potential future value.
• Compared to tax rates in neighboring states, most
  feel that Alabamas rural property tax rates
  should be comparable or lower.

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Summary

• Alabamians strongly believe that rural landowners
  have a civic and moral responsibility to respect
  and conserve their property.
• Alabamians favor landowners having complete
  control over their rural property.
• The greatest perceived needs from ACES and AAES
  were in the areas of conservation, rural
  planning, and improving row-crop agriculture.