Dubois County - Coalition for Appropriate Roads (DCCAR)

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How much farmland are we loosing? According to the American Farmland Trust, every day the United States lose more than 3,000 acres of productive farmland to sprawling development. This is equivalent to 1,000,000 acres of productive farmland a year, an area nearly the size of the state of Delaware. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. farm acreage decreased by 41.3 million acres between 1982 and 1992 or an average of 4.1 million acres per year. U.S. farm acreage decreased by 12 million acres between 1990 and 1994 or an average of 3 million acres per year. Indiana farm acreage decreased by 600,000 acres between 1987 and 1992 or an average of 30,000 acres per year. Indiana lost 16,000 farms between 1987 and 1994 or an average of 2,286 farms per year.

Why do we want to save our Indiana farmland? Farmland provides more than 70 percent of the habitat for America's animals. As we lose farmland, our wildlife is in danger. Farmland contributes far more to the state and local tax base than it requires in public services. As scattered development squeezes rural communities, we will continue to feel growing negative pressures on taxes and services. America's unique culture, educational and political institutions arose from our farming heritage. As our nation loses its farmland, American traditions are fading away. Well-managed farmland protects our soil and water, and preserves American's scenic and historic landscapes. Farmland loss has visible environmental and scenic impacts. Agriculture provides millions of jobs both on the land and in secondary services. Farmland protection is an investment in the backbone of our economy.

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