During a recent government meeting, Dr. Laurel Gardner and her son Stan Gardner passionately advocated for the preservation of their family-owned agricultural land in Auburn, Alabama. Dr. Gardner, a 1986 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine, emphasized the historical significance of the property, which has been in her family for six generations. She expressed concerns over a proposed stub road that would extend from a cul-de-sac into their land, arguing that it would unnecessarily lengthen an already long road and disrupt the agricultural use of the property.

The Gardners have deep roots in the area, with Dr. Gardner recounting her family's legacy in farming, which includes a successful dairy and livestock operation. She highlighted their commitment to maintaining the land as an agricultural farm, stating, \"We do not want to sell it. We do not want to develop it.\" The family aims to raise animals and preserve the natural beauty of the property for future generations.

Stan Gardner, representing the fifth generation of his family on the farm, shared his vision for the land, which includes implementing adaptive multi-use paddock grazing to enhance their Angus beef cattle herd. He expressed a desire to educate local schoolchildren about farming and the importance of agriculture in the community.

The Gardners requested a waiver to prevent the construction of the stub road, arguing that it would take up valuable space and hinder their agricultural operations. They urged the local government to consider their family's long-standing commitment to the land and their plans for its sustainable future.