Number: 1982-17
WHEREAS, U.S. agriculture feeds millions worldwide and is the single most important contributor to the Nation’s balance of trade; and
WHEREAS, domestic food and fiber demand continues to rise as the U.S. population increases; and
WHEREAS, the continued loss of even modest amounts of productive agricultural land could have significant consequences for the Nation, including but not limited to the cost of food, the cost of government, energy development, economic stability, water policy, and the wildlife resource; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. has been converting agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes at the rate of about three million acres per year;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 18-21, 1982, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, supports the following approaches used in protecting agricultural land as discussed in the National Agricultural Lands Study:
- Comprehensive planning
- Agricultural zoning
- Purchase of development rights
- Agriculture districts
- Purchase and resale of lease with restriction
- Transfer of development rights
- Differential assessment
- Development permit system
- Right to farm laws