2,000 acres of farmland per day was lost or 'compromised' from 2001 to 2016, American Farmland Trust says

"From 2001 to 2016, the U.S. lost or compromised 2,000 acres of farmland and ranchland every day." So says the American Farmland Trust. (The figures really mean per day, not every day.) "That adds up to 11 million acres of farmland that has been paved over, fragmented or developed, according to research" by the trust, Sara Schafer reports for Ag Web. If that trend continues another 18.4 million acres, nearly the size of South Carolina, will change between 2016 and 2040.

Its latest report, Farms Under Threat 2040, the trust "says this trend could accelerate further, due to high housing prices in metro areas and new opportunities for remote work," Schafer reports. Farmers' deaths  also contribute to farmland loss. "Around 40% of the nation’s farmland is owned by people over 65, so up to 370 million acres of farmland could change hands in the next 20 years," Schafer reports. "That increases the possibility the land will be sold for development, according to the research."

To reverse the trend, the report recommends: embracing "smart-growth" principles to improve land-use planning; permanent protection of farmland; advancement of solar projects that boost renewable energy and farm viability; and the creation of more opportunities for new farmers, particularly from historically marginalized groups.

In each state, the trust has held or will soon hold a webinar with specific data and recommendations. Click here to find yours. You can also explore state- and county-level data through AFT's interactive map.