Agricultural Operations on Airport Grounds (2022)

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56 A P P E N D I X D Survey Instrument and Summary of Responses This appendix presents the questions and responses from the ACRP S10-17 survey. (Questions 1 and 2 contain information on the name and identifier of the airport and are not shown here. Questions 3 and 4 contain airport demographic data.) Question 3. Type of ownership. Governance Structure Percent in Study Number City 36.0 102 County 21.2 60 State Owned 1.4 4 City and County 10.3 29 Airport Authority 19.1 54 Port Authority 2.8 8 Private 8.5 24 Other 0.7 2 (a) Total 283 Note: (a) = university. Question 4. Approximate population of community that the airport serves. Population Value Percent in Study Number Less than 2,000 9.3 26 2,000–5,000 12.8 36 5,000–10,000 14.6 41 10,000–20,000 11.0 31 20,000–50,000 20.3 57 50,000–100,000 12.1 34 100,000+ 19.9 56 Total 281

Survey Instrument and Summary of Responses 57   Other (Write In) 1.8 5 (a–e) Exclusive/None of the Above (go to the end of survey) 14.2 40 Notes: (a) Allows local farmer to harvest the hay in return for not having to pay to have it mowed. (b) Lease our land to adjacent farm. (c) The lease is not agricultural, but we lease to a frozen foods processor that pumps water onto leased land and then grows hay seasonally. (d) No lease, we just let neighbor cut hay to keep mowed. (e) Verbal. Question 6. How many acres of airport property are used for agricultural purposes? Number of Acres Percent Number 1–99 51.2 103 100–199 19.9 40 200–299 7.5 15 300–399 2.5 5 400–499 5.0 10 500 or more 13.9 28 Total 201 Question 7. What are the types of crops on airport leased land? (Please check all that apply.) Type of Crops Percent Number Food Crops (Ex. grains, vegetables, fruits) 39.6 80 Feed Crops (Ex. hay, alfalfa, silage) 53.0 107 Fiber Crops (Ex. cotton, flax, hemp) 3.0 6 Oil Crops (Ex. canola, soybean oil, biofuel crops) 14.4 29 Ornamental Crops (Ex. flowers, dogwood) .5 1 Other – Write In* 20.8 42* * Crop Type: Write in Number N/A 5 None 11 Hay 5 Brome grass for hay 1 Cattle 3 Corn 2 Corn and soybeans 3 (Questions 5 through 7 gathered information of agricultural use of airport grounds.) Question 5. How many agricultural land leases does the airport manage? Number of Agricultural Leases Percent Use Number 1 42.3 119 2 3.9 24 3 3.9 11 4 0.4 1 5 1.8 5 6 0.4 1 7 0.7 2 None, airport farms own property 1.4 4 None 24.6 69

58 Agricultural Operations on Airport Grounds Question 8. What were the motivating factors for initiating an airport agricultural program? Motivation for Agricultural Program Percent Number Increased revenues 65.4 134 Decreased grounds maintenance cost 66.3 136 Public demand 2.9 6 Environmental reasons 7.3 15 Airport operational reasons 13.2 27 Other – Write in* 12.7 26* * Motivation—Write In Number N/A (not applicable) 6 None 8 Airport owners beef production 1 Cattle help to manage vegetation 1 Decrease mowing 1 Excess property unusable for airport purposes 1 Existing use when property was acquired by airport 1 Irrigation eliminates prairie dogs 1 No program, only available on case-by-case basis 1 No crops 1 None, we don’t have an agricultural program 1 Reduces our maintenance cost 1 Keep land clean 1 Unknown, initiated long ago 1 Total 26 (Questions 9 through 15 gathered information on agricultural farmland leases.) Question 9. Does the airport utilize a farmland lease agreement? Does the airport utilize a farmland lease agreement? Percent Number Yes 60.1 140 No 39.9 93 Total 233 Fallow 1 Ginseng 1 Grass for seed and hay 1 Grass seed 1 Our farm ground is not on airport property 1 Soybeans and wheat only 1 Sugar cane 2 Ag education 1 Non-attractant grasses that are baled for feed. Also, a small parcel for beekeeper 1 Soybeans 1 Wine grapes 1 Total 42

Survey Instrument and Summary of Responses 59   Question 10. Does the airport offer this land for rent through a public bid process? Public Bid Process Percent Number Yes 43.3 97 No 56.7 127 If yes, how often* 91 Total 224 *How Often Bid Number Annually 5 Every 2 years 5 Every 3 years 28 Every 4 years 2 Every 5 years 27 3 to 5 years 7 Every 6 years 1 Every 10 years 1 Every 20 years 1 As needed 2 3 years but renewable w/out bid 1 If the cost per acre is projected to be less the following year a new Lease Agreement is put out for bids 1 Initially 1 Monthly 1 We do not have an agricultural program 1 Yes, when existing agreement is terminated by either the tenant or landlord 1 At lease expiration 1 At least every 5 years 1 Currently 5 years but moving to 2 years 1 Sealed bid process cash rent per acre 1 Was every 10 years, looking to do every 5 years 1 We use RFP process every 5 years 1 Total 91 Question 11. What is the term of your agricultural lease agreements? Term of Agricultural Lease Agreement Percent Number 1 year 22.7 41 2 years 3.9 7 3 years 26.5 48 4 years 1.7 3 5 years 24.9 45 6 or more years 6.1 11 Continuous 14.4 26 Total 181 Question 12. What is the approximate annual revenue per acre? Annual Agricultural Land Lease Revenues per Acre Percent Number $0–$0.99 15.5 32 $1.00–$49.00 17.5 36 $50.00–$99.00 11.2 23 $100.00–$199.00 17.5 36

60 Agricultural Operations on Airport Grounds $200.00–$299.00 12.1 25 $300.00 or more, please specify 2.4 5* Varies by parcel, please specify 1.9 4** Based on yield 4.9 10 Airport shares in crop revenues, please describe 1.9 4*** Other – please describe 15.0 31**** Total 206 *Revenue—Write In, $300 or more Number $325.00 per acre 1 $500.00 1 $500.00 per acre 2 315 tillable, 66 grass 1 Total 5 **Varies by Parcel—Write In Number $100.00 - $400.00 per acre 1 $225/acre for row crops, $50/acre for hay 1 $277.00 - $600.00 1 $50.00 - $180.00 1 Total 4 ***Airport Shares in Crop Revenues—Write In Number 1/3–2/3 split of revenue 1 Airport receives 1/3 of crop revenues, minus 1/3 of expenses. Farmer also responsible for some airfield maintenance such as herbicide application and wildlife hazard management. 1 Crop share—depends on crop 1 Total 3 ****Revenues Other—Write In Number N/A (not applicable) 6 None 4 $12,000 total annually 1 $1,200/year lease 1 $18,400 annual 1 30% of value for hay crops, annual land usage lease for food crops outside of airport perimeter, flat annual rate for pasture (cattle) 1 Barter for services 1 Based on Iowa State Extension Office average rents 1 Hay cutter agrees to cut unimproved areas also 1 I don’t know 1 Local farmer helps with mowing and bales the hay for his use 1 No ag leases 1 Private 1 The airport receives a flat rate based on number of round hay bales 1 Trade for ground maintenance 1 Trade for maintenance and labor 1 We do not have agricultural operations on the airport property at this time 2 Yield is given in exchange for cutting and removal 1

Survey Instrument and Summary of Responses 61   *Crop Restrictions—Write In Number N/A (not applicable) 1 Hay only 20 Height restrictions 15 No corn 6 No row crops 2 Alfalfa 1 Any crops over 4 feet are not allowed 1 Corn, wheat, soybeans 1 Crop described in lease 3 Crops must be approved by City prior to any change 1 Crops that won’t attract birds/wildlife 4 Dry farming only 1 Equipment types and count restrictions limit the crop type 1 Farmers are only allowed to plant corn and soybeans 1 Ginseng is highly managed to maximize revenue, and there are general restrictions on wildlife attractants 1 Grain crops only 2 Specific crop 1 Grass only 2 Only brome grass is allowed 1 No sunflowers 2 Hay or soybeans only 1 Must be approved by the board 1 Must seed a cover crop and some areas must remain in hay 1 No burning of fields 1 No corn inside airport fenced area. However no crops are now grown within the airport fenced area. 1 No corn inside fence, no sunflowers on any airport property. Follow USDA-APHIS guidelines. 1 No corn or wheat allowed 1 No corn, only soybeans or wheat 1 No crop of any kind 1 No planting or fertilizing 1 No tall crops in runway restricted areas 1 No tall crops within 200 feet of runway center line 1 Nothing tall or animal attractant 1 Only approved grass crop is allowed, some clover, some grazing 1 Depends on accepted bid 1 Do not have one 1 Leases vary; $195.00/acre; and percent of crop fees 1 Total 30 Question 13. Does your lease provide for crop restrictions? Crop Restrictions Percent Number Yes 50.7 103 No 49.3 100 If yes, please describe 98* Total 203

62 Agricultural Operations on Airport Grounds Reseeding species restrictions 1 Restricted to soybeans, corn, alfalfa 1 Setbacks from runways and taxiways 1 Soybeans or wheat 1 Tenant must control all weeds. The crop must be harvested annually. No on-site storage of crop. 1 Varies depending on areas that are more prone or less prone to erosion. Airport/runway safety areas are another restriction 1 We restrict planting to corn and soybeans; we also allow contractor to hay certain airport owned property; we include language regarding our contract with USDA APHIS and that the airport can enforce their guidance on leaseholder; include language about not 1 obstructing flight paths and no adverse effect on airport; we also include contract language about date of harvest and require full depth tilling after harvest. Wheat, soybeans or hay 1 Approved crops only listed in our wildlife management plan 1 Distance from runways 1 Either sugarcane or soybeans 1 Low crops near windsock and ASOS areas 1 Native grass/pasture only 1 No till 1 Non attractant plants only; also no marijuana 1 Planting distance and crop height from runway 1 Short crops in runway clear zones 1 Total 98 Note: ASOS = automated surface observing system. Question 14. Are there any special conditions in the lease addressing any of the following? (Please mark all that apply.) Special Conditions in the Lease Percent Number Permits 4.4 9 Wildlife control 17.6 36 Soil testing 6.4 13 Pest control 6.4 13 Application of fertilizer 18.6 38 Land maintenance 29.9 61 Drain tile maintenance 5.4 11 Timely removal of crops 31.9 65 Airport land reverting to airport if needed 38.7 79 None 32.8 67 Other, please describe 11.8 24* *Special Conditions in the Lease Number N/A (not applicable) 6 Certificate of liability insurance 1 Groundwater, environmental spills 1 Weed control 2 Authority to cease operations upon due notice 1 Herbicide application 1 Do not know 1 Identifying wetlands perimeter 1 Install and operate irrigation systems 1

Survey Instrument and Summary of Responses 63   Insurance required from Lessee 1 Lease is just for mowing and bailing 1 No agricultural leases 1 No farming within 250 ft of centerline of any landing surface and 20 ft from perimeter fencing 1 No lease, I get a third of crop and government payments 1 Safety requirements in vicinity of runway 1 Herbicide restrictions due to watershed and city wells nearby 1 Water well maintenance 1 We do not have any 1 Total 24 Question 15. Is there any FAA and/or state aeronautics division coordination required to administer program? FAA and/or state aeronautics coordination Percent Number Yes 4.4 9 No 95.6 195 If yes, please describe 8* Total 204 *FAA and/or state aeronautics coordination Number N/A (not applicable) 2 FAA grant assurance, MCA 1 FSA 1 I believe the FAA requested a copy of the agreement for authorization 1 Interim use/APM 1 Not to interfere with safe airport operations 1 We followed our Wildlife Hazard Management Program recommendations 1 Total 8 (Questions 16 through 19 gathered information of agricultural farmland leases.) Question 16. What are the risk factors particular to your airport due to agricultural use? (Please mark all that apply.) Risk Factors Percent Number Wildlife attractant 37.7 78 Environmental concerns 5.8 12 Draws crowds of people 1.0 2 Crops obstruct airfield surfaces 6.8 14 Crops interfere with NAVAIDS 2.9 6 Creates drainage issues 2.9 6 None 55.6 115 Other, please specify 7.7 16* *Risk Factors Number N/A (not applicable) 4 Greater possibility of wildlife and bird strikes with certain crops 1 Harvest season is busy with lots of equipment on the airfield, creates significant dust 1 Hawks will use the large round bales as perches 1

64 Agricultural Operations on Airport Grounds Question 17. What are the primary operational concerns for accommodating agricultural tenants? (Please check all that apply.) Primary Operational Concerns Percent Number Providing access to the AOA 21.5 45 Parking of equipment 21.1 44 Monitoring lease compliance 15.8 33 Crop rotation issues 6.7 14 Crop cycle issues 20.6 43 Required training for operating on the airfield (access, familiarization, driver training, badging) 3.3 7 Requires additional coordination with the FAA and TSA 50.7 106 Other, please describe 5.3 11* Total 29 *Primary Operational Concerns Number N/A (not applicable) 3 Erosion control 1 Heavy farm equipment crossing runway 1 Help keeping the fields mowed 1 Lack of land 1 Operational concerns apply only to inside the fence operations 1 Property damage and cleanup 1 Farm labor too close to runway/taxiway 1 None 1 Total 11 Question 18. Are there any Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in use for agricultural operations at the airport either by the airport or the ag lease tenant? Unmanned Aerial Systems in Use for Agricultural Operations Percent Number Yes 0.4 1 (a) No 99.6 222 Total 223 Note: (a) = N/A. Question 19. Are there any based commercial aerial applicators located at your airport? Commercial Aerial Applicators Located at Airport Percent Number Yes 32.3 75 No 67.7 157 Total 232 Heavy farm equipment crossing runway 1 Making sure the farmers close the fence gates to deter wildlife 1 No crops on airport 1 Security scrutiny 1 Cattle could get out onto the runway 1 City wells nearby 1 Dust 1 Not agricultural 1 Not sure would need to look at them again to see what else was included 1 Total 16