Trends

Nationwide Trends

The United States has seen a tremendous increase in urbanization in the last century. Urbanization includes population growth, increased urban land development in traditionally rural areas, and percentage of people living in urban areas. The percent of people living in urban areas rose from 26% in 1870 to over 74% in 1970 (Kline, 1999). This reflects a global trend, which has seen more than half of the world’s population move to urban areas. Between 1982 and 1997 (15 years), the United States experienced a 34% increase in land devoted to urban built up uses (Alig et al., 2004). This can be attributed largely to the 24% increase in population during the same time period, over 50 million people (Alig et al., 2004). However, what is particularly concerning is that developed land area is increasing at a greater rate, intruding on agricultural land and traditionally rural land.

Although the total amount of US agricultural land has remained consistent for the last century (310 million acres in 1910 compared to 340 million acres in 2004), high fragmentation due to urban expansion has been a major concern (Lubowski et al., 2006). Fragmentation of land in areas close to urban centers can lead to higher property taxes of agricultural land because land value may increase (Alig et al., 2004). As a result, many farmers have turned to selling their property because of the high production costs associated with competing with developers (Alig et al., 2004). Farmers that do keep their land in the face of urbanization have sought out off-farm opportunities to maintain economically viable. In fact, a study from 1993 found that “the average US farm household earns more income off the farm than on the farm” (Ahearn et al., 1993).

The South

The United States has seen the greatest increase in developed land area in the South over the last 40 years, specifically the states of Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana (Alig et al., 2004). Several factors can be attributed to this increase. Most obvious is the tremendous population growth experienced in the South. Also, an increase in average personal income has allowed people to develop new properties outside of urban areas, contributing to urban sprawl. Other factors include multiple land use capabilities, cheaper land prices, greater land availability, and lower property taxes. Better climate in the South can also be an influence on the amount of people living in the area.

Agricultural land use changes in the South have reflected national trends, with amount of cropland remaining fairly consistent, from 45 million acres in 1964 to 47 million in 2002 (Ahn et al., 2002) However, due to the dramatic increase in developed land area, problems with fragmentation and urban infringement have been magnified. Economic conditions (land value, multiple-use capabilities, urban expansion etc.) encourage farmers to expand production to less productive land or shift to less productive cropland practices (Lubowski et al., 2006). Land use practices will have to be a focus of state and national policy moving forward if developed land use area continues to increase.

Mecklenburg County

Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and surrounding counties have experienced this significant loss of agricultural land due to urbanization in the past half century. Farmers who have remained in close proximity have had to adopt different methods of production and distribution of their products to accommodate local residents. These changes undoubtedly arouse sentiments from farmers about urbanization. It is important to distinguish whether their perception is as a negative trend (loss of land, increased intrusion, etc.) or a positive development (easier distribution, closer to business, increased market, etc.) Likewise, urban residents who directly interact with farmers through local co-ops and farmer's markets clearly have an interest in local food production

Farmer’s Markets

The growth of farmers’ markets in the United States over the last two decades has been remarkable. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there has been an increase in operating farmers markets from 1,755 in 1994 to 7,175 in 2011 (USDA 2011). This is a reversal of the trend of the 20^th century, which saw the increase in grocery stores and supermarkets in urban areas. Farmers’ markets have reconnected urban consumers with farmers and their products. Likewise, they have eliminated the middleman in this transaction, bringing greater profits to the farmers and have afforded the opportunity to form deeper connections with their customers.

Farmers’ markets provide fresh products such as meat, produce, flowers, crafts, and other goods to shoppers. In many cases these products are produced organically, providing a healthier alternative to many highly processed foods found in supermarkets. The proximity of growers to consumers contributes to the development of the local economy. Distribution is simplified and transportation costs are also decreased in the process, conserving resources significantly.  Farmers’ markets have also been said to foster community vitality. They provide a venue for community members of all ages to come together and support their local producers.

Hopefully these last two decades of change will continue in the coming years, as consumers continue to demand for more and more fresh products. The benefits of farmers’ markets are evident, and their growth will continue to benefit communities around the United States.  Support your community and find your local farmers market here: http://farmersmarket.com/ Buy Local!

Important Laws Affecting Farmers

The Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981 required Federal agencies to conduct reviews for the purpose of minimizing the extent to which Federal programs continue to the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to nonagricultural use.

Link to more information: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/alphabetical/fppa

Right to Farm Laws are deigned to 1) strengthen the legal position of the farmers when neighbors sue them for private nuisance and 2) to protect farms from anti-nuisance ordinances and unreasonable controls on farming operations. These began in 1963 with Kansas.

Link to more information: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/righttofarm/index.html

The Resource Planning Act (RPA) of 1974 and the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 requires the US Department of Agriculture to develop programs to conserve, protect, and enhance forest, soil, and water resources for sustained uses.

Food Security Act of 1985 allowed lower commodity prices and established a dairy herd buyout program.

http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/farmbills/1985-1.pdf

Food Agricultural Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 was a five year bill that froze target prices to allow for farmers’ planting flexibility.

http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/farmbills/1990-1.pdf

The Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 directed USDA to carry out a program to purchase agricultural conservation easements on prime and unique farmland for the purpose of protecting it from nonagricultural uses. It authorized up to $35 million in matching funds for State and local farmland protection programs.

Link to more information: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/farmbills/1996.htm

2002 Farm Bill Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002

http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/farmbills/2002.htm

Farms for the Future Program, created by the 1990 Farm Bill authorized a pilot program under which federally subsidized loans to State and local governments were used for purchase of agricultural conservation easement of farmland.

Link to all Farm Bills since 1933-present: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/farmbills/