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From:Dean Anderson To:Tom Weidt; Becky Petryk; Phil Klein; Dave Strub; Mike Miron; Michele Lindau; Bryan Bear; Max Gort; Rachel Juba Cc:Reece Geel; Isabeau Ryan Subject:Hugo"s Future - Cannabis Zoning Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 11:08:38 AM You don't often get email from dean@uffda.cc. Learn why this is important Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. The decisions you are about to make over the next few weeks on where and how cannabis cultivation can occur are not just policy—they are a defining moment for Hugo’s future. These choices will ripple through our community, affecting not only businesses like ours but also the very character and legacy of our city. This is an opportunity to lead, to shape Hugo into a place where tradition and innovation coexist, and where small farms and new ideas thrive together. It is imperative that cannabis cultivation be considered an agricultural activity. The world around us is changing, and farming as we know it is under threat. Small farms are disappearing, swallowed up by corporations that prioritize profit over stewardship. Traditional crops like corn, soybeans, and dairy have become increasingly difficult to grow and sell profitably, especially for independent farmers. The dream of owning a farm and being a full-time farmer is slipping away for many, unless they can operate at an industrial scale. We can see the writing on the wall. The aging hands that have tilled Hugo’s soil for decades are slowly retiring, and their farms—those patches of land that hold generations of blood, sweat, and dreams—are at a crossroads. What will become of them? Without innovation, their futures are bleak. These small, family-owned farms will either be swallowed whole by faceless Big Ag corporations, stripping them of their soul and connection to the community, or flattened and sold off to developers, paving over the legacy of Hugo’s agricultural roots. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We have an opportunity—a responsibility—to ensure that these farms not only survive but thrive. By embracing innovation, like incorporating cannabis cultivation as a modern cash crop, we can give the next generation of farmers the tools to succeed. We can preserve the heart of Hugo while paving the way for a future where farming is once again a livelihood to aspire to. Cannabis offers an opportunity to revitalize farming. As a cash crop, it has the potential to make homesteading and small- scale farming tangible again, giving new farmers a viable path to succeed without relying on massive volumes. We moved to Hugo with a vision of escaping the city, purchasing land, and building a homestead where we could grow cannabis. We were drawn to Hugo for its vibrant community of modern farmers—people like Niemczyk Gardens, T and Nae’s Flower Farm, and Applecrest Orchard—just to name a few who exemplify the harmony of agriculture and community. Restricting cannabis cultivation to industrial zones would miss the chance to treat this crop as part of our agricultural heritage and risks framing a vibrant opportunity as something disconnected from the land. Cannabis is not just a crop; it is a symbol of innovation and resilience in farming. It has the power to preserve Hugo’s agricultural roots while supporting sustainable growth. The choice of how to zone cannabis cultivation belongs to this council and this community—not distant bureaucrats who don’t know the heart of Hugo. This is your moment to lead, to protect the values and character of our city, and to ensure that the decisions made today honor the legacy of those who built Hugo while securing a future where the next generation can thrive and the promise of the American Dream endures. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. Dean, Beau, and Reece