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Land quite literally underlies all economic activity,
but nowhere more than for agriculture. Land is the primary input
for crop production and grazing livestock, a source of rural amenities,
and a store of value for farmland owners.
Continuing a long and rich tradition of ERS research
on land use and values, we present new products probing the issue
of "sprawl" and its impact on farming in the city's shadow.
 Development
at the Urban Fringe and Beyond:
Impacts on Agriculture and Rural Land
Since the 1970's, the urbanized area in the United States has more
than doubled. Public concerns about ill-controlled growth have once
again raised the issue of a Federal role in land use. This report
describes the forces driving development, its character and impacts
on agriculture and rural communities, the means available to channel
and control growth, and the pros and cons of potential Federal roles.
Major Uses of Land in the United
States, 1997 As the latest in the Major Land Use series, which
started in 1945, this report summarizes cropland, forest, pasture
and range, and miscellaneous and special uses such as urban, recreational,
and parkland. The annual cropland portion of the series has been
consistently maintained since 1910. Also see the companion
data set, covering 1945-97.
 Smart
Growth: Implications for
Agriculture in Urban Fringe Areas
"Smart growth," a catch-all phrase for a number of land-use policies
intended to influence the pattern and density of new development,
directs development to designated areas (cities and older suburbs)
through incentives and disincentives. One of the greatest impacts
of smart-growth on local agriculture will be its effect on farmland
values.
Visit our other web products and briefing rooms for additional resources
on land use and land value, including links to detailed economic
analyses, new and ongoing research, data, and more:
Interested in more? Sign
up for e-mail notification of timely ERS releases of new information
on these and other topics.
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