Agriculture in Cumberland Co Fa 08

Environmental Economics Fa 08 | DDT Fa 08 | Trade and the Environment Fa 08 | Local Water Quality Fa 08 | Agriculture in Cumberland Co Fa 08 | Marine Protection and Risk Fa 08 | Fisheries Management Fa 08 | Food and Pesticides Fa 08

The Impact of Developmental Pressures on Agricultural Land Allocation

Introduction

We became interested in the topic of agricultural land allocation and changes in it due to pressures from developers because we have seen first hand increasing development that has replaced agricultural land in Cumberland County.

Through our initial research of interviewing farmers in the Cumberland Valley in the Fall of 2007, it became known that farmers were very concerned about the current trend of being bought out by incoming developers. They stated that the lay of the land has dramatically changed in recent years and they expected that it would continue to increase in the near future.

We plan to continue this initial ethnographic research to complete a more comprehensive report on the effect of developmental pressures on agricultural land allocation. Our project design is outlined below:

Proposed Project Design

We will be considering general trends—historical and current—in the changes to agricultural land (especially in Cumberland County) due to pressures from development. Our research will include consideration of the factors affecting the price farmers are willing to accept for their land. For example, the impact on farmers’ willingness to accept due to changes in the market for their crops will be included in the analysis. Also, changes in the land market in which developers are purchasing their land will be looked at, including the costs and benefits of farm land compared to land allocated for other uses.

Research

Pennsylvania Game Commission- Reduction of Farms and Crop Production: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=496&q=166106&pp=12&n=1

Governor Rendell Discusses Farmland Preservation Plan During Cumberland County Visit: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?A=390&Q=131148

Pennsylvania County Data - Farm Numbers: http://www.nass.usda.gov/QuickStats/PullData_US_CNTY.jsp