Urban Encroachment
Overview
The United States is primarily an urban population living in a rural nation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS). Individuals in many areas of the country are concerned by the local loss of farmland, and as a result farmland preservation programs have been widely adopted. The motivation for these programs comes from public concern for food security, preservation of a rural lifestyle, environmental protection, and the prevention of urban sprawl. Despite the efforts to preserve farmland, the continued encroachment of new urban areas into agricultural regions creates a tension between the new inhabitants and the agricultural production operations that struggle to survive in the same location. However, not all effects of urbanization negatively affect agriculture. Urbanization may cause land values to drastically increase, raising the value of farm assets and providing potential retirement income to farmers. In addition, marketing opportunities and access to labor may provide economic benefits to agricultural producers. This overview focuses on farmland preservation programs and the potential legal issues that may arise as agricultural lands become urbanized. Read the full overview
Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.
Major Statutes
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, 16 U.S.C. § 3865
Healthy Forests Reserve Program, 16 U.S.C. § 6571
Forest Legacy Program 16 U.S.C. § 2103c
Conservation Easement Statutes (Farmland Information Center)
Uniform Conservation Easement Act (UCEA) (last revised or amended 2007)
Compilation of States’ Right-To-Farm Statutes (National AgLaw Center)
Compilation of States’ Recreational Use Statutes (National AgLaw Center)
Laws and Regulations that Apply to Your Agricultural Operation by Statute (EPA)
Regulations
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program 7 C.F.R. parts 1468.1-1468.39 (2020)
Healthy Forest Reserve Rules and Regulations, 7 C.F.R. part 625 (2010)
State and Private Forestry Assistance 36 C.F.R. part 230
Federal Register Rules Open for Comment
Case Law
Case Law Index for Urban Encroachment (National AgLaw Center)
Center Research Publications
Uniform Easement Relocation Act (UERA) Factsheet (R. Rumley, 2023)
Building Blocks: Basics of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (Rollins, 2022)
Right-To-Farm: Typical Provisions (Rumley, June 2023)
Overview of Federal and State Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Programs (NALC Webinar Series, 2021)
Differential Tax Assessment of Agricultural Lands (Bachelor & Hall, 2019)
Issue Brief: Smithfield Foods and Right to Farm in North Carolina (R. Rumley, 2018)
Compilation of States’ “Fence Law” Statutes (R. Rumley, 2021)
Compilation of States’ Right-To-Farm Statutes (National AgLaw Center, 2022)
Compilation of States’ Recreational Use Statutes (National AgLaw Center, 2022)
State-Specific AFRI- Legal Direct Marketing Guides (National AgLaw Center & U. IL@Urbana)
Right-to-Farm Statutes and Corporate Farming Laws (R. Rumley, 2009)
Agricultural Contracts and the Leasing of Land – PowerPoint Presentation (R. Rumley, 2009)
Governments and Unconstitutional Takings: When Do Right-To-Farm Laws Go Too Far? (Centner, 2007)
The Constitutionality of Partition Fence Statutes in the Midwest (Molloy & Reid, 2004)
Zoning Limitations and Opportunities for Farm Enterprise Diversification (Branan, 2004)
Nuisance Immunity Provided by Iowa’s Right-to-Farm Statute: A Taking Without Just Compensation? (Dzur, 2004)
Agricultural Zoning, Bankruptcy and the Rural Homestead (Lawrence, 2003)
Right-To-Farm: Typical Provisions (R. Rumley, updated 2020)
Congressional Research Service Reports
Reports– published and made available by CRS beginning in 2017
Subjects- published by CRS and made available by NALC until 2018:
Rural Development
Environmental Issues
Public Lands
Agricultural Law Bibliography
Introduction | Keyword Search | Browse Categories
Legal publications on Urbanization and Agriculture:
Corporate Farming (Restrictions on Corporate Farming/Family Farm Preservation)
Environmental Issues
Farm Policy and Legislative Analysis
Hunting, Recreation and Wildlife
Land Use Regulation
Land Use Planning and Farmland Preservation Techniques
Land Reform
Public Lands
Rural Development
Transportation
Reference Resources
Economic Research Service (ERS)
Briefing Room: Land Use, Land Value, and Tenure (updated 2021)
Briefing Room: Natural Amenities (updated 2022)
Farmland Protection: The Role of Public Preferences for Rural Amenities (Hellerstein et al., 2002)
Partial Interests in Land: Policy Tools for Resource Use and Conservation (Wiebe et al.,1996)
Development at the Urban Fringe and Beyond: Impacts on Agriculture and Rural Land (Heimlich and Anderson, 2001)
Publications
Urban Sprawl and Farmland Protection: Responding to Changes in Idaho’s Treasure Valley (Dolven, 2022)
Urbanization and its Implications for Food and Farming (Satterhwaite, McGranahan, & Tacoli, 2010)
Future Urban Land Expansion and Implications for Global Croplands (Bren d’Amour et. al., 2016)
Agricultural Conservation: A Guide to Programs, (Stubbs, updated 2022)
Impacts of the Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Program: An Assessment Based on Interviews with Participating Landowners (American Farmland Trust, 2013)
Ranch and Farmland Condemnation 101 (Donley, Potter & Heckelman, 2016)
Establishing Land Use Protections for Farmers’ Markets (Public Health Law & Policy, 2009)
Establishing Land Use Protections for Community Gardens (Public Health Law & Policy, 2010)
Land Use and Farmland Conversion (Agricultural Issues Center, U. CA, Davis, 2003)
Agricultural Sustainability and Smart Growth: Saving Urban-Influenced Farmland (Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, Thompson, 2001)
Managing Space to Manage Growth (William & Mary Law School, Mandelker, 1999)
Agricultural Zoning Factsheet: Land Use Series (OH St. U. Extension, Hudkins, 2010)
Purchase of Development Rights: Land Use Series(OH St. U. Extension, Daubenmire and Blaine, 2010)
Lessons Learned in Eminent Domain (Ross, 2018)
Additional Resources
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (Office of the Federal Register, Commodity Credit Co., 2016)
Urbanization and Agriculture Posts (National AgLaw Center, Ag & Food Law Blog)
American Farmland Trust
Land Trust Alliance
Farmland Information Center
Land Use Law Center (Pace Law School)
Ducks Unlimited