How can I buy my Landlords house?

[Jordon Haskell]

I am currently renting a 4bdr. 2bath 2400 sq.ft. House that hasn't been updated since it was built in the 70's. It is one of three houses on a 300 acre cattle ranch. Through cheap rent I was able to become debt free and have offered to buy it from my Landlords. I have developed good level of trust with them, and they are entertaining the idea. I called the planning department at the county office and they said this area (Wheatland California) is zoned ag land and could only be split up into 80 acre parcels. The only other option they gave was for the owners to separate the homesteads from the land, but all three houses would still be together. My question is has anybody ever been in a situation like this before? Is there any way around the zoning, or other options. I would only want about 2-5 acres. I have a hay business, so this would be a great centrally located place to stage my equipment between jobs. Thanks in advance.