Council Backs’ Rent-for-Shares’ Haying Agreement to Provision Bramble Park Zoo
- Steve Jurrens
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The City Council approved Resolution No. 26-18, confirming a "rent-for-shares" agricultural lease agreement with local operator Lyle Bothe, doing business as LNJ Farms and Ranch. The resolution establishes an intent to lease approximately 85 acres of city-owned real property at St. Ann’s Hill and Derby Downs exclusively for haying operations, setting a formal public hearing date for June 1, 2026.
City Attorney Lisa Carrico introduced the legal scope of the transaction, clarifying the statutory requirements:
“This actually is just the notice of intent to set the hearing for the actual lease. This was—is this the haying rights one? Yeah, this is for haying rights over at St. Ann’s Hill as well as Derby Downs... and they have agreed—which will be in the lease that will be before you at the next Council meeting—to basically provide a lot of the hay that is required and needed by the zoo.”
City Manager Alan Stager provided additional operational context regarding the transition of the acreage, noting that the selection builds upon a successful existing agricultural relationship at another municipal facility:
“I'd maybe just add two things. First of all, the existing—or the legacy tenant—has notified us that he is no longer interested in haying these properties. And number two, the new tenant is actually our tenant at the airport as well. So, we do have an existing relationship with LNJ Farms."
The arrangement stipulates that in lieu of standard cash rent, LNJ Farms will deliver a designated percentage of the harvested yield directly to the Bramble Park Zoo to sustain its winter feed programs. When asked about the specific logistics of the zoo’s forage demands, Carrico noted the diverse dietary requirements of the park’s inhabitants:
"I know that we need round bales as well as square bales, and I know one of the kinds we need about 400. Different animals require different types of hay... so having the diversity of hay from the airport, the hill, as well as Derby Downs is an important part of operating the zoo."
The agricultural discussion prompted an encouraging reminder from Councilman Allen regarding public involvement in provisioning the zoo’s animals:
"I would also add that for those folks that do a lot of gardening, who find that sometimes their zucchini gets away from them and they end up with these large zucchinis that they tend to just throw away... the zoo loves those. There are several animals there who prefer homegrown vegetables. So, if you’re thinking 'I’m just going to waste it and throw it away,' take it to the zoo. They’ll be happy to see you.”
The tip drew a lighthearted retort from Mayor Ried Holien, who joked, "You could also bring them up to City Council, there’s a few of us who like that." Following the laughter, the Council executed a mandatory roll-call vote, approving the resolution of intent unanimously.
