Facts:

Every minute America is losing 2 acres of farmland.

DeKalb County is within one of the three areas in America
most endangered by urban sprawl.

Between 1990-2000 DeKalb County lost 4,794 acres of prime farmland, an average of 1.3 acres of farmland lost every day in the past decade.

DeKalb County depends on farmland to recharge its water
supply.

98% of DeKalb County farmland is rated as prime - a unique
combination of exemplary soils, topography, and climate.

59% of growth and development on the planet is taking place
on prime soils.


Why Save Farmland?

Farmland provides food for domestic and foreign
consumption.

Farmland provides raw materials used to manufacture
building materials, paper, medicine, oils, fuel additives,
polymers, resins and other goods.

Farmland absorbs rainwater, helping replenish groundwater
supplies and reduce flooding.

Farmland provides wildlife habitat.

Farmland provides biomass for renewable energy sources
such as ethanol.

Farmland enhances the quality and biological integrity of
sensitive natural areas by acting as a buffer between
development and natural areas.

Farmland provides open space, enhancing the quality of life in
developing areas.

Farmland provides jobs for farmers and others working in
ag-related industries.

Farmland serves as a source of local tax revenues, providing
economic stability in rural areas.

Farmland provides a buffer between residential areas and less
desirable land uses such as busy highways and industrial
properties.

Farmland provides significant export revenues to the U.S.
balance of trade helping to maintain a strong domestic
economy and workforce.

Farmland demands fewer public services than residential,
commercial, and industrial land uses.