City Council Votes This Tuesday
The re-zoning application is being voted on by Orem City Council on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 6:00pm, so set your alarm! The meeting takes place in city council chambers at 56 N State St., Orem -- entrance is just south of the Orem Library.
Filling the room with citizens and utilizing the time for public comment makes a BIG impact on the decision of the councilors. PLEASE COME IF YOU CAN!
We know it is a sacrifice to come, but this is a chance to witness how YOUR elected officials listen and decide on local matters. When our agenda item is discussed, the applicant (developers, land owners, etc.) will first present their plan. The city councilors will ask any questions, then open the meeting to a public hearing. At that time, ANY person can speak and voice concerns; there is no age limit, and you don't have to live in Orem city. They usually give 2-3 minutes per person. This is the time to let them know WHY keeping an open space zone is better for our local community!
Dearest Friends & Customers
Wilkerson Farm has leased its fields for the past 15 years, since it was pioneered by Richard Wilkerson in 2010. At this time, the landowner would like to sell the main 14-acre property along 2000 South in Orem. Unfortunately, the farm cannot compete with the land values being offered by developers, nor is the landowner wanting to pursue a conservation easement. It is currently under contract, pending Orem City's approval of a zone change that would take it out of "open space" and allow for residential housing.
We are uncertain if the business will be able to relocate. We have been and are still working tirelessly to find a way to continue serving our local people. We are not going to give up hope! If you are interested in helping, please review the resources below.
First and foremost, we are very grateful to have even had the opportunity to farm this beautiful place and share it with you and your families over these years.
The farm was almost developed into townhomes back in 2015. The current owner came in at that time to help mediate the situation and give the farm a chance to continue.
The business has struggled to grow to a big enough scale to afford its own land, though there was some hope in 2022 as it was growing very rapidly in agritourism. However, the last 18 months have been difficult for small business, especially recreation, and families have to cut back on spending.
At the very same time, land values have skyrocketed over the last couple years. What used to be $1-2 million is now $5-6 million. The owner feels at this time that they can use the proceeds to do more good elsewhere.
We understand. But we still deeply believe that farms provide critical benefits to the community even if they can't produce as much financial return as other investments.
At this point in time, the landowner has asked us to begin moving off the property. It is unlikely that we will be given the chance to have one more season of operation on the current field.
We are looking at ALL options, though relocation is very costly. Unfortunately, because we have invested so much in this particular property over the years, we don't have the financial lending power to purchase our own land elsewhere (even land in Santaquin is $200-300K per acre!) We are actively searching for partners to purchase land and then put it under easement as well as looking for fields to lease long-term.
We don't exactly know. We've invested so many years in this business that starting over seems very daunting. But farming is our great love, and if there's a way to keep doing it, we'll find it.
Planning Commission Discussion from March 19, 2025
City Council Meeting Discussion from April 8, 2025
Note: this is the date that the zone change was originally scheduled to be voted on by city council, but it was postponed to May.
