The United States loses more than a million acres of farmland each year to development, with losses in every state. The supply of American-grown fruits and vegetables are especially susceptible; 91 percent of America’s fruits, nuts, and berries are grown near urban areas, as are 78 percent of vegetables and melons.
States have reacted to this loss of arable land by creating a variety of laws and programs designed to encourage the preservation of traditional agricultural lands, such as farms and ranches. For example, Connecticut has preserved at least 283 farms totaling more than 37,262 acres at a cost of about $130 million since the program began in 1979. The following information represents a selection of legislation and statutes that address state government support of efforts to encourage the preservation of agricultural lands by governments, nonprofits, private landowners and other groups.