02 Appraisal District Filing Information
Appraisal District
Rains County Appraisal District
Chief Appraiser
Sherri McCall
Address
145 Doris Briggs Pkwy, Emory, TX 75440
Phone / Web
(903) 473-2391 / www.rainscad.org
Beekeeping Qualification: Under Texas Tax Code §23.51(2), beekeeping qualifies as agricultural use. Rains County requires a minimum of 6 hives on 5–20 acres (1 additional hive per 2.5 acres over 20). This 12.3-acre property with 12 hives exceeds the 6-hive minimum.
06 Pollinator Habitat & Forage Analysis
Planted Pollinator Forage (7.2 ac)
| Species | Common Name | Bloom Period | Notes |
|---|
| Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot | May–Jul | Primary nectar source; established 2019 |
| Rudbeckia hirta | Black-Eyed Susan | Jun–Sep | Pollen rich; reseeds naturally |
| Trifolium incarnatum | Crimson Clover | Apr–May | Overseeded annually; nitrogen fixer |
| Solidago spp. | Goldenrod | Sep–Nov | Critical fall flow; native stands maintained |
| Helianthus maximiliani | Maximilian Sunflower | Aug–Oct | Fall pollen; planted along fence rows |
| Vicia villosa | Hairy Vetch | Apr–Jun | Overseeded in Pasture B; nectar + soil builder |
Continuous Bloom Calendar: Forage species are selected to provide nectar and pollen from March through November, ensuring bees have natural forage for 9 months of the year with supplemental feeding only in winter.
07 Production & Income History
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|
| Production | | | |
| Honey Harvested (lbs) | 640 | 580 | 600 |
| Beeswax Harvested (lbs) | 18 | 15 | 16 |
| Income | | | |
| Honey Sales (local / farmers market) | $7,680 | $6,960 | $7,200 |
| Beeswax / Candles | $540 | $450 | $480 |
| Pollination Services | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,500 |
| Nucleus Colony Sales | $900 | $1,200 | $750 |
| Total Revenue | $10,320 | $9,810 | $9,930 |
| Expenses | | | |
| Equipment & Supplies | $1,800 | $1,400 | $1,600 |
| Queens & Packages | $480 | $360 | $400 |
| Feed & Medications | $420 | $380 | $450 |
| Seed & Meadow Maintenance | $600 | $500 | $550 |
| Net Income | $7,020 | $7,170 | $6,930 |
Income Intent Satisfied: 3-year average net income of $7,040/yr from honey, beeswax, pollination services, and nuc sales.
08 Tax Valuation Comparison
| Method | Value/Acre | Acres | Assessed Value |
|---|
| Market Value (current) | $12,500/ac | 10.8 | $135,000 |
| Ag (1-d-1) — Bee Pasture | $180/ac | 10.8 | $1,944 |
$2,768
Annual Tax — Market Value
$348
Annual Tax — Agricultural Value
$2,420
Estimated Annual Tax Savings
Small Acreage, Big Impact: Even on 12 acres, beekeeping produces $2,420/yr in savings — $12,100 over 5 years. The Exemption.Land filing fee pays for itself in the first month.
Rollback Warning: If hive count drops below the county minimum or beekeeping ceases, rollback taxes of ~$14,440 (5 years + 7% interest) may apply.
09 Certification & Signatures
I certify that the information provided is true and correct, and that this property is actively used for beekeeping as defined by Texas Tax Code §23.51(2).
Prepared by Exemption.Land — using Rains County CAD hive requirements, Texas Apiary Inspection Service guidelines, and county-specific intensity standards.
Property Owner Signature
Michelle Honeywell
Date
___________________, 2026