Sustainableagriculture

Sustainable Agriculture11/21/2002

Sustainable Agriculture


Impacts of Sprawl

-NRI 87-92 vs. 92-97 Conversions up from

1.2 Million Acres per year to 2.2 Million Acres per year


National Map


Conversions

American Converted 6,000,000 Acres from 92-97

(=~12Alabama Counties)

Conversions are a one time crop


Alabama Map


Alabama’s Standing

State ranks 13th in total conversions 87-92 130,000 Acres (26K/yr) 92-97 315,000 Acres (63K/yr)

State ranks 10th in Prime Farmland losses to development


Top 20


Growth Factors

Population Growth & Migration 0.96% population growth

Cheaper LandTransportation Corridor DevelopmentSpreading InfrastructureLarger Lots 2% / yr lot size








Lot Size

1950’s Average < 1.0 acre / home site

1997 Average > 1.8 acres / home site


Other Factors

Absentee OwnershipFarm Revenue decreasesOff farm employmentCheaper imports


Cost of Community Services

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

Services / $1.00 in Tax Revenue

CommercialFarm / ForestResidential


Hidden Costs

Emergency response time increasesFire response time increasesInsurance (ISO) ratings decreaseSchool bus route time increases(Police response time decreased)


Other Considerations

SmellDustSlow vehiclesChemicals


Environmental Impacts

Farmland / Open land Storm water sponge Heat Island sink Air Quality buffer

All of these factors will have to be mitigated upon conversion


Food Production


Opportunity Lost

• Eco Tourism

• Heritage Trails

• MicroFarm Enterprises

• Anything other than Impervious Surfaces


Help?

Land Trusts Up from 1 in the ’90’s to 7 in ’02

Farmland Protection Program $900,000

Forever WildThe Nature Conservancy


Options

Brownfield redevelopmentGreyfield redevelopmentTax breaksMitigation Banks


Sloss Phytoremediation

Paul KennedyUSDA-NRCS

205.251-8139 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cawaco.org/