Land Use in Relation to Urban Sprawl and Agriculture Created by Mindy Moore Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office July 2003

Overview The Problem The Problem The Two Sides The Two Sides House-building Industry House-building Industry Farmers Farmers The Pros & Cons The Pros & Cons Effects of Urban Sprawl on Agriculture Effects of Urban Sprawl on Agriculture Effects of Agriculture on Urban Sprawl Effects of Agriculture on Urban Sprawl Approaches to Settling the Problem Approaches to Settling the Problem

The Problem Population Growth Urban Sprawl Loss of Agricultural Land and Farms

Population Growth

Urban Sprawl

Loss of Agricultural Land and Farms

The Two-Sides  “This Land is My Land”  Tug-of-war between developers and farmers.

House-building Industry House-building Industry Shelter is a growing concern as the population increases. Shelter is a growing concern as the population increases. Agriculture land is suitable for development because it is: Agriculture land is suitable for development because it is:*Flat*Well-drained *More-affordable to developers

Farmers Every minute 30 acres of forest and farmland are vanishing.

Effects of Urban Sprawl on Agriculture Pros Pros * Larger pool of workers *Off-farm employment *New crops and markets *Non-traditional industries Cons *Loss of farmland *Decline in the market of traditional products *Decrease in crop yields

Advantages

Larger Pool of Workers  Larger Pool of Workers  Seasonal  Part-time  More Labor-Intensive Crops

Off-Farm Employment  Chance for off-farm employment increases.  More financial support for the farm.  1999  90% of farm household income came from off-farm sources.

New Crops and Markets Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Sold to local grocery stores and businesses. Roadside stands and U-pick operations. Other items and marketing ideas Homemade goods Recreational activities

Non-traditional Markets In Georgia and the other southeastern states, the following industries are multi-million dollar businesses: Ornamental Landscape Turfgrass Floriculture Pest Control Lawn Maintenance

Disadvantages

Loss of Farmland

Decline in the Market of Traditional Products Decline in markets for: Dairy Products Field Crops Farm Input Suppliers

Decrease in Crop Yields Decrease in crop yields due to: Smog Theft Vandalism Water Restrictions

Effects of Agriculture on Urban Sprawl Pros Pros * Aesthetically pleasing *Safe atmosphere Cons * Conflicts and complaints with the neighbors

Benefits

Aesthetically Pleasing

Safe Atmosphere Away from cities. Concern for their children. Social, not economic.

Drawbacks

Conflicts and Complaints  Complaints from the new neighbors. *Odors *Spraying of chemicals *Noise from machinery

Approaches to Settling the Problem Preservation of farmland through: Preservation of farmland through: *Agricultural Protection Zoning *Conservation Easements *Protection Programs *Other Methods Encouragement for small-scale farms in and near cities. Encouragement for small-scale farms in and near cities. Adoption of planning strategies. Adoption of planning strategies.

Agricultural Protection Zoning (APZ) Benefits Benefits * Inexpensive *Implemented quickly *Easy to explain *Flexible *Reduces infrastructure costs Drawbacks *Not permanent *Reduces land values *Difficult to enforce and monitor

Conservation Easements The difference between “fair market value” and agricultural value.” A written deed. More permanent protection.

Protection Programs  Varies from state to state.  Federal Farmland Protection Program (FPP) -Established in the 1996 Farm Act. - Provide funding to state, local, and tribal entities with existing farmland protection programs for purchase of conservation easements or other interests. - Administered by the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Other Methods Circuit Breaker Tax Relieves These relieves offer tax credits to offset farmers’ property tax bills. Differential Assessment Laws These laws direct local governments to assess agricultural land at its value for agriculture, instead of its full fair market value, which is generally higher. Right-to-Farm Ordinances A formal statement that agriculture is a valuable part of the county or town economy and culture.

Encouragement for Small-Scale Farms 1997(Metropolitan farms) 1/3 of all farms 39% of farm assets 79% of dairy products 90% of the fruit crop 83% of the vegetables

Adoption of Planning Strategies Cluster Zoning Comprehensive Planning “Conservation Communities” - Communities where farmland and subdivisions are paired together. * Indiana, Minnesota, and Colorado * Prairie Crossing in Grayslake, IL

Prairie Crossing

Final Thoughts Population growth and urban sprawl are causing commercial agriculture to be wedged out. Population growth and urban sprawl are causing commercial agriculture to be wedged out. There are bound to be conflicts as the two sides argue their case. There are bound to be conflicts as the two sides argue their case. For the benefit of America, the sides must work together and compromise. For the benefit of America, the sides must work together and compromise. “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”- Jimmy Carter “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”- Jimmy Carter