Farmland Protection | Food Systems

This report examines the two major patterns of U.S. land development—expansion of urban areas and large-lot development in rural areas—and the potential impacts on agriculture and rural communities. The report finds that such sprawling development patterns affect the amount and productivity of agricultural land and create other problems. However, they may reduce the production of some high-value or specialty crops, with agricultural production in metropolitan areas more vulnerable to rising land values and increasing contact with new residents.