I’m testing soil samples, that mineral taste of rich earth on my fingers, when I hear it—click, click, click. Designer heels on hard dirt. This blonde woman marches toward me like she’s serving a warrant. “Are you the new property owner?” she asks, extending a manicured hand. “I’m Brinley Fairmont, president of the Meadowbrook Estates Homeowners Association.”

President. I look around. One house—hers. Lots of empty space. “How many homes are in your association?” I ask.
“Twelve beautiful properties,” she says with this practiced smile. “My husband Chadwick and I moved here from California. He works in tech remotely. You know, we’ve really brought some standards to this area.”

Standards to farmland that’s been here since before she was born. She whips out this thick binder that reeks of fresh printer ink. “This property has always been part of our homeowners association.”
“Ma’am, this is agricultural land, been farmland since the sixties,” I say.

She flips through pages like a prosecutor. “Previous owner agreed to monthly dues. You’re inheriting those obligations.”“How much?”
“Fifteen thousand in back dues plus seven-fifty monthly going forward.”I actually laugh. “You want HOA fees on empty farmland?”