Farms.com Home   News

Planning could lessen impact of urban sprawl

Pick any state and you are likely to find examples of urban sprawl, where farmland is being converted into subdivisions and industry.

And those examples are not just found around large metropolitan areas such as Kansas City, Chicago, St. Louis and Des Moines. Ag land is disappearing around other growing cities throughout the Midwest.

A report written in 2022 from the American Farmland Trust suggests this trend is likely to continue. In the report, the organization said from 2001 to 2016, the U.S. lost or compromised 2,000 acres of farmland every day. If the trend continues, another 18.4 million acres will be converted between 2016 and 2040. That is roughly the size of the state of South Carolina.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Episode 125: A Ranching Family's Approach to Conservation and Changing Landscapes

Video: Episode 125: A Ranching Family's Approach to Conservation and Changing Landscapes

We explore how one ranching family in British Columbia is navigating the growing challenges of water stewardship, conservation and climate change. From upgrading irrigation systems, building off-stream watering infrastructure to protecting wildlife habitat and advocating for agricultural water rights, they demonstrate how proactive planning, innovation and collaboration are essential for long-term sustainability. Their story highlights the evolving relationship between ranching, conservation and responsible water management in a changing environment.