Emerging public preferences and the sustainability of farmland preservation

• Published in: New Perspectives on Agri-environmental Policies pp. 274 - 296
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2010
• Subjects: Farm Size Diversity; Lorenz Curve; Van Der Leeuw; Ar Yl; Su sB; Ox Im; Op M; PDR Program; Farm Contiguity; Soil Quality; Gravity Measure; Farm Viability; Prime Farmland; Unique Farmland; Ul Tu; D Iv; USDA Ers; Rs Ce; Income Demographics; USDA’s Definition; Gini Coefficient; Farmland Acreage; Farmland Preservation Programs; Commodity Viability
• ISBN: 041577702X; 9780415777025
• DOI: 10.4324/9780203867808-23

Introduction US states have increasingly been adopting farmland preservation as a cornerstone of their agricultural policies (Hellerstein and Nickerson 2002; Kline and Wichelns 1996). The rationale appears to be greater recognition of the long-term benefits of preserving farmland. While quality-of-life concerns related to ecology, environment, access to farm amenities, sustainability, farm viability and public access are prominent motives of the public (VHCB 2005; Kline and Wichelns 1996; Nelson 1992; Rosset 1999), most state farmland preservation programs, which involve purchase of development rights (PDR), focus largely on protecting agricultural lands for agricultural purposes (see Table 15.1). For PDR programs to be optimally resourced and supported by the public, they must ultimately incorporate the objectives of the non-farming public, who represent the vast majority of the voting public in most states.1 Public concern is shifting away from increasing agricultural production and toward protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment (Bromley and Hodge 1990; Miller 2008; Heinz Center 2002). The public is more willing to pay for agricultural endeavors that are environmentally beneficial (Boody and Krinke 2001). Future preservation funding coalitions should therefore include the broader population of state residents, most of whom are also consumers whose views of agriculture likely differ from those of farmers. In many states, most consumers live in metropolitan areas and have interests in such accessible farm amenities as pick-your-own operations, fresh food supply, inner-city farmers’ markets, bed and breakfasts and agro-tourism. If agriculture could provide more of these benefits, it would enjoy greater legislative and policy support. Future designs of farmland preservation programs must consider these important features, and may have to incorporate them into ranking or scoring systems when identifying ideal farms. This study explores the emerging goals of society with respect to land preservation. A review of the selection criteria of state farmland preservation programs in the United States identifies emerging economic/market, ecological/environmental, land use and social characteristics, which should increasingly be considered for farmland preservation programs to receive broader acceptance.