Land Use Issues

This chapter examines land use issues and their association with federal agricultural policy objectives. It provides an overview of the importance of land use policies within the agricultural policy setting, followed by discussion of land use concerns. The chapter discusses the effectiveness, efficiency, and economic consequences of attempting to solve agricultural problems using various agricultural policies that attempt to influence land use. Land reclamation legislation subsidized irrigated agriculture in 1902, making conversion of marginal lands such as the open plains, deserts, and some woodland to cropland economical. The litany of agricultural acts, programs, and provisions presented represents the major components of agricultural land use policy, but is by no means comprehensive. Several issues, including global warming, water quality, wildlife and biodiversity, and private property rights, may also affect land use and be affected by land use. These issues may well be included as objectives and/or constraints in the production management policies of the next food and agricultural legislation.