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Show AjoifltpabSc-tio-ofthe f "If Pres. and Satinrtiteltaal-,. Farm & Agriculture Februaiy 12, 2004, Page 17 iiiitf III " a V ft 1 Tto (Sreafi Me paini: Will larKiaini spraall iuuaCxe ffarmlai.!. dlSsappaair? Each year, you may see yourself driving a little farther out to find wide-open wide-open spaces, especially along the Wasatch Front. Nationwide, farmland is disappearing at rate of more than two acres a minute, according to American Farmland Trust, a nonprofit organizer that works to protect farmland. A recent study by the organization found that between 1992 and 1996, the U.S. lost more than six million " 7 v. M . 0 , sral 1 1 r n Mention this ad and receive your next Wrangler purchase Good through February 21, 2004 L J WESTERN WEAR & SADDLERY fas h w o ICQ H. Uain SL - Spanish Foil: "The scary part is that we're losing our high-quality farmland - the land best suited for growing food the fastest. It just doesn't make sense and it's unnecessary. J9 American Farmland Trust President Ralph Grossi acres of farmland, an area approximately approxi-mately equal to the size of Maryland. The loss is attributed to more than 20 years of urban sprawl the term coined to describe low-density development with mostly one-and one-and two- story buildings. However, this sprawl has not been caused by an increase in population pop-ulation but by increased land use. Over the past 20 years, the acreage per person for new housing almost doubled, and since 1994, 10-plus acre housing loss has accounted for 55 percent of the land developed, according to the study. America developed twice as much farmland during the 1990s as it did in the 1980s. The scary part is that we're los- ing our high-quaEty farmland the land best suited for growing food the fastest. It just doesn't make sense and it's unnecessary" said American Farmland Trust President Ralph Grossi. In a recent survey, urban growth issues are on the forefront of public concern. In the four Utah cities surveyed, issues such as sprawl and traffic traf-fic congestion were an ovemhelrning concern. But, there are some ways that urban growth can help existing farms, according to a 2001 report by the Department of Agriculture. It brings people closer to farms, and enterprising farmers can benefit by starting farm markets or creating u-pick produce areas. Still, the consequences of growth include loss of land, increased pollu-. tion and conflict between farms and nearby residents over noise or odors. Many states are working on programs that combat urban growth while attempting to save remaining farms from development. State and local governments have helped protect agricultural land for more than 40 years. All states provide property tax relief for owners of agricultural land and protection from "nuisance lawsuits" for farmers. Sixteen states allow farmers to form special agricultural districts where commercial agriculture is encouraged and protected. In such areas, communities use comprehensive land planning and farm-friendly zoning ordinances to control growth in agricultural areas. For farmers to ensure sure that their land is protected, planning is essential. Twenty-one states have authorized purchases of agricultural conservation conser-vation easement programs that offer farmers compensation for giving up the right to develop their land. A popular method is to place the land under an agricultural easement, ease-ment, known as a "purchase of development rights." Essentially, this program pro-gram allows farmers to separate their rights to develop land from other property rights. Farmers then sell these development rights to a nonprofit group or government organization. When farmers sell their development rights, a restriction is placed on the land specifying that it can maintain agricultural agricul-tural uses forever. . Nancy Hourigan sold the development rights of her farm in 1998.The 750-acre farm, already surrounded by new homes, was under consistent pressure from developers, Hourigan said. Now, her land can only be used for agricultural purposes, even if it's sold to another owner. , "It's a good way to keep this a farm forever," Hourigan said. "We didn't did-n't want to be the ones to destroy it." |
