Green Communities Research Center

Farmland Preservation

Preserving agricultural resources near and in urban areas has become increasingly desirable as a community goal. Farmland is necessary for the production of food, and producing food locally helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to its transport.

Farmland preservation has other benefits, such as providing and protecting scenic and cultural landscapes, reducing sprawl, providing a source for local farmers markets, and maintaining local jobs and community businesses. Many cities, counties, and regions include land use policies focused on preserving agricultural resources in their comprehensive plans.

For information related to farmland preservation, see APA’s Policy Guides on Agricultural Land Preservation and Community and Regional Food Planning.