Big Housing Lots Threaten Farming More Than Sprawl

Homes built on large lots in farming areas are causing concern amongst land conservationists who say the patchwork of housing severely compromises the produictivity of the land.

1 minute read

March 8, 2007, 6:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

"More harmful to the state's agricultural economy than the steady march of urban sprawl across the landscape is the proliferation of homes on huge rural lots that break up large stretches of working farmland, land preservationists say."

"These mega-home sites of three, five, 10, 20 or more acres - described by farmland preservation advocates as 'too small to farm and too big to mow' - make it difficult for nearby farmers to continue farming."

"The large home lots, typically with a big house set in the middle, cannot be used for farming. And the introduction of new non-farm neighbors often sets up conflicts with nearby farmers over slow tractors on narrow country roads, dust, unpleasant odors and assorted, sometimes late-night farm noise."

FULL STORY: Big lots hurt farming more than sprawl, land-savers say

Sunday, March 4, 2007 in Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

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