Preservation of agricultural lands through land use planning tools and techniques

Productive agricultural lands are an irreplaceable natural resource. Nonetheless, as urban populations increase and spill over the edges of the urban boundary, communities are relinquishing farmland to low-density development without regard to preserving these vital lands. Mile the growth of cities is essential to their economic health, that growth does not have to be at a premium cost to rural areas. The agricultural industry is vital to the United States economically, environmentally, and socially, so local planners and community members must make agricultural preservation part of long-term planning goals. There is no doubt that the realities of agriculture are changing, as small farmers find that agricultural production is no longer viable, as the popularity of organic farming and specialty crops increases, and as globalization raises phyto-sanitary and economic issues. As such, realistic, long-term planning goals that take the benefits and drawbacks of agriculture into account are vital. Land use planning is one tool that can be paired with other strategies to help save vital agricultural lands, so that the benefits of farming can be realized in our communities for the future.