By Kaylee Hendricks
Agriculture in the United States is at a critical crossroads as the demand for urban development increasingly intrudes on farmland. This battle between farmland preservation and urban expansion reshapes landscapes, alters economies, and threatens food security. The tension between the need for housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure development on one side and the need to preserve agricultural land on the other creates a complex dilemma for policymakers, farmers, and urban planners.
According to the American Farmland Trust, the U.S. loses 2,000 acres of agricultural land daily. This loss has significant consequences for rural economies and food and fiber systems. Once fertile land converts to non-agricultural use, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to reclaim it for farming, permanently reducing the country’s capacity for domestic food and fiber production. As a result, agriculturists must do more with less than ever before.
“Sustainable practices are important for several reasons, but I think most producers would say they make the most sense,” said Kali Mabe, PCCA Sales and Sustainability Specialist. “If farmers want to be successful, they will focus on the land to ensure it is healthy and productive. Sustainable practices, like implementing a crop rotation, producing a cover crop, and minimal tillage, are all proven techniques for this.”
Several factors are driving the rapid urbanization that threatens U.S. farmland. Population growth in many regions of the country is one of the primary drivers, pushing up the demand for new housing and infrastructure. Suburban and exurban development, characterized by low-density residential areas and commercial zones, often requires large tracts of land. Developers favor flat, open spaces—attributes that make land ideal for farming.
Economic forces also play a critical role. Farmers facing financial difficulties may find it more profitable to sell their land to developers than to continue farming, especially in regions where land values are skyrocketing. This trend is particularly common near expanding cities, where rising property values make farming less financially viable.
The loss of agricultural land to urban development poses severe challenges for the U.S. agricultural sector. Reduced land availability can lead to lower domestic food and fiber production, increased import reliance, and higher prices. This is especially concerning in a country that has long been one of the world’s largest agricultural producers and exporters. Farmers who preserve their land during urbanization play a crucial role in maintaining local production, reducing environmental impact, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining rural economies and cultural heritage.
“I’ve never met a single farmer who didn’t want the opportunity for their son or daughter to continue the family farm,” said Mabe. “The next generation is a crucial stepping stone in guaranteeing the viability of cotton and the agriculture industry. No other industry has stood the test of time like agriculture.”
Even though farmers are now achieving higher productivity levels with fewer resources than ever, the need for land remains. According to National Geographic, by the year 2050, farmers are anticipated to face the massive challenge of feeding and clothing an additional two billion people, raising the global population to more than nine billion. This unprecedented increase underscores the critical importance of sustainable farming practices and the efficient use of agricultural land to ensure food and fiber security for the future.
“In an occupation where the agenda for the day relies on Mother Nature, producers rely on advancements in the industry to ensure their continued success. Precision ag has greatly influenced how farmers can produce more with less,” explained Mabe. “GPS directly correlates with decreasing the amount of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers used on the land. Seed companies constantly evolve their genetics to cater to different environments, which can instantly change in West Texas. With a growing population, producers must continue pursuing advancements in the industry to ensure their long-term success.”
Urban expansion can also fragment farms, making agricultural operations less efficient. When farmland divides into smaller, disconnected parcels, it becomes more challenging for farmers to manage their operations, transport
goods, and maintain economies of scale. With the changes from urban expansion, land used for cotton is at risk due to additional pressures of food production.
In addition to economic concerns, converting farmland to urban uses can have significant environmental consequences. Agriculture is vital in carbon sequestration, water management, and biodiversity preservation. When farmland is lost to urbanization, natural ecosystems can degrade, water resources become strained, and greenhouse gas emissions may increase as more land is developed for urban use.
“Sustainable farming practices like crop rotations and cover crops greatly impact issues like carbon sequestration, water management, and biodiversity,” said Mabe. “When a producer plants a cover crop in the winter to help preserve their topsoil, they also capture carbon. When it rains, cover crops filter the soil, allowing water to sink into the earth rather than runoff. Crop rotations create thriving animal habitats that positively impact the soil and its productivity.”
Recognizing the threat posed by urban development to farmland, various states and localities have implemented policies to preserve agricultural land. Zoning laws, agricultural easements, and urban growth boundaries are some tools used to limit urban sprawl and encourage more compact, sustainable development.
As the United States grows and urbanizes, balancing the need for housing and economic development with preserving farmland will become an increasingly difficult challenge. Urbanization has many positive aspects. It can drive economic growth, improve infrastructure, and promote innovation and technology. Cities are hubs of economic activity and provide numerous job opportunities and better access to education and healthcare than rural areas. However, farmland is crucial in maintaining the need for food and fiber. Farmers, policymakers, and urban planners must continue collaborating to find solutions that balance the competing demands for land.
“Sustainability programs have made a huge impact in the legislative space,” explained Mabe. “Programs like the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol have helped facilitate movement between producer and government. The USDA’s Climate Smart Grant is a great example of this. Had the Protocol not actively searched for and obtained the grant, many producers in the area might not have known and been able to receive financial incentives for adopting sustainable farming practices.”
The battle for land between agriculture and urban development in the United States is shaping the future of rural and urban areas. Preserving farmland is essential for maintaining the nation’s food and fiber security, protecting the environment, and sustaining rural economies. By adopting policies promoting responsible growth and farmland preservation, the U.S. can meet the needs of its growing population and agricultural sector. The future of agriculture, and by extension, food and fiber security, depends on preserving the land needed for farming while accommodating the growth and development necessary for an expanding population.
