Farmland protection as a community development issue: Alabama farmer and landowner perspectives

ABSTRACT:

A 1982 survey of Alabama farmers and landowners sought opinions about protecting agricultural land from conversion to urban and industrial uses. Farmers recognized the seriousness of the problem, supported regulatory action, and felt there was a general feeling of responsibility toward society on the part of landowners. Current usevalue assessment was the only one of seven specific farmland protection strategies that received clear acceptance. Attitudinal dimensions, farm characteristics, and personal attributes were used to predict support for specific strategies. Respondents' overall orientation toward government involvement in farmland protection was the best predictor of the various approaches. Younger farmers tended to be more amenable to protection measures. Older landowners and landowners with higher incomes were less favorable toward government involvement in the land market.