Rural Land-Use Trends in the Conterminous United States, 1950-2000.

In order to understand the magnitude, direction, and geographic distribution of land-use changes, we evaluated land-use trends in U.S. counties during the latter half of the 20th century. Our paper synthesizes the dominant spatial and temporal trends in population, agriculture, and urbanized land uses, using a variety of data sources and an ecoregion classification as a frame of reference. A combination of increasing attractiveness of nonmetropolitan areas in the period 1970–2000, decreasing household size, and decreasing density of settlement has resulted in important trends in the patterns of developed land. By 2000, the area of low-density, exurban development beyond the urban fringe occupied nearly 15 times the area of higher density urbanized development. Efficiency gains, mechanization, and agglomeration of agricultural concerns has resulted in data that show cropland area to be stable throughout the Corn Belt and parts of the West between 1950 and 2000, but decreasing by about 22% east of the Mississippi River. We use a regional case study of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions to focus in more detail on the land-cover changes resulting from these dynamics. Dominating were land-cover changes associated with the timber practices in the forested plains ecoregions and urbanization in the piedmont ecoregions. Appalachian ecoregions show the slowest rates of landcover change. The dominant trends of tremendous exurban growth, throughout the United States, and conversion and abandonment of agricultural lands, especially in the eastern United States, have important implications because they affect large areas of the country, the functioning of ecological systems, and the potential for restoratio

Next Stop: California: The Benefits of High-Speed Rail Around the World and What's in Store for California

Outlines the advantages of high-speed rail systems replacing short-haul air and inter-city car travel, including energy, environmental, and economic benefits. Makes recommendations for land use, planning, and design to maximize benefits for California

A Track Record of Success: High-Speed Rail Around the World and Its Promise for America

Highlights the economic and transportation benefits of high-speed rail in Japan and Europe, including creating jobs, saving energy, protecting the environment, and encouraging sustainable land use and development. Details lessons for the United States

DEVELOPMENT AT THE URBAN FRINGE AND BEYOND: IMPACTS ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL LAND

Land development in the United States is following two routes: expansion of urban areas and large-lot development (greater than 1 acre per house) in rural areas. Urban expansion claimed more than 1 million acres per year between 1960 and 1990, yet is not seen as a threat to most farming, although it may reduce production of some high-value or specialty crops. The consequences of continued largelot development may be less sanguine, since it consumes much more land per unit of housing than the typical suburb. Controlling growth and planning for it are the domains of State and local governments. The Federal Government may be able to help them in such areas as building capacity to plan and control growth, providing financial incentives for channeling growth in desirable directions, or coordinating local, regional, and State efforts.land development, sprawl, large-lot housing, land zoning, population growth, housing, specialty agriculture, high-value agriculture, rural amenities, smart growth, Land Economics/Use,

F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America, 2005

Examines national and state obesity rates and government policies. Challenges the research community to focus on major research questions to inform policy decisions, and policymakers to pursue actions to combat the obesity crisis

Southeast Research and Extension Center 5-Year Issue-Based Review

Director\u27s Introduction Demographic and Economic Profile of Southeastern Nebraska Geography and Organization Population Agriculture Income and Poverty Commuting Race and Ethnicity Preface - Writing Team Agriculture Issue Team Report Acreage Team Report Small/Medium Farm Team Report Large Farm Team Report Agribusiness/Consultants Team Report Structure of Agriculture Report Crops Animal Agriculture Agribusiness Public Policy Community Visions: Urban/Rural Issue Team Report Environmental Sustainability Issue Team Report Family Life Issue Team Report Healthy Lifestyles Issue Team Report Food Safety Healthcare in Communities Nutrition Education Program Nutrition Through the Lifecycle Youth Issue Team Report Research in the Southeast District Final Report of Focus Group Research (Richard A. Krueger) Implications and Recommendations Director\u27s Closing Remarks Personnel Listing Glossary Note