America's Agricultural Land Is at Risk
Every minute of every day, we have been losing more than an acre of agricultural land to development. Why? Farm and ranch land is desirable for building because it tends to be flat, well drained and affordable. And the rapid rate of agricultural land converted to development is unnecessary—over the past 20 years, the average acreage per person for new housing almost doubled—with our best agricultural soils being developed the fastest.

Visit Farmland by the Numbers to learn more about farmland loss throughout the nation.

Why save Farmland?

	National Economy and World Food Security The U.S. food and farming system contributes nearly $1 trillion to our national economy—more than 13 percent of the gross domestic product—and employs 17 percent of the labor force. World consumers of U.S. agricultural exports are expected to increase their purchases in the future. With a rapidly increasing world population and expanding global markets, saving American farmland is a prudent investment in the world food supply and the nation’s economic future.
	Protection of the Environment Well-managed agricultural land supplies important non-market goods and services for our environment. Farm and ranch lands provide food and cover for wildlife, help control flooding, protect wetlands and watersheds and maintain air quality. They can absorb and filter wastewater and provide groundwater recharge. New energy crops even have the potential to replace fossil fuels. Read about our Agriculture and the Environment initiative.
	Fresh, Healthy Food and Strong Communities Farms closest to our cities, and directly in the path of development, produce much of our fresh food—an astounding 91% of our fruit and 78% of our vegetables. And for many Americans, saving farmland is focused on protecting the quality of life in their communities—scenic and cultural landscapes, farmers' markets, recreational opportunities, local jobs and community businesses. Read about our Growing Local initiative.
	Fiscal Stability for Local Governments New development requires services such as schools, roads and fire/police protection, whereas privately owned and managed agricultural land requires very few services. Cost of Community Services (COCS) studies (PDF) show that, nationwide, farm, forest and open lands more than pay for the municipal services they require, while taxes on residential uses, on average, fail to cover costs.

Take Action

• Read Our Seven Ways to Save Farm and Ranch Land.
• Get your free No Farms No Food bumper sticker.
• Visit the Farmland Information Center for answers to your questions about protecting farmland in your community.
• Send a letter to your state lawmakers today asking them to support and fund land conservation programs that promote local agriculture. 
• See how we are helping states and communities plan for agriculture to protect their important farm and ranch land.
• Read about 10 pioneering people, places and partnerships featured in our American Farmland magazine as farmland protection trailblazers.
• Visit the Smart Growth Network, an initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and several non-profit and government organizations, including American Farmland Trust.