(Images courtesy of American Farmland Trust)

Did you know that every hour, America loses 125 acres of farm and ranch land? That’s 3,000 acres a day and over 1 million acres a year! Eighty-six percent of America’s fruits and vegetables are grown in metro regions in the path of development.

What would a world without farms and ranches mean? Probably a growing dependence on the center aisles of our grocery stores; processed foods enriched with ingredients you can’t pronounce.

Over half of the U.S. is working agriculture land, and well managed farms and ranches provide critical environmental benefits like water filtration, flood control, air quality improvements, carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat.

The 2007 Farm Bill debate is heating up, but it’s not just a battle to be fought on Capitol Hill. It affects the availability and cost of fresh, healthy food both in the U.S. and worldwide. The farm bill impacts how farmers manage their land and their ability to be good stewards of our air, water and wildlife. It shapes what tools are available for communities to fight sprawl and protect local farms and ranches.

Instead of subsidizing overproduction on marginal lands, let’s support America’s farmers and ranchers so they continue to provide fresh and healthy food and protect our environment.

Now is our opportunity to demand a more balanced farm bill that will end subsidy distortion, protect our farms and ranches from sprawl, support local and healthy foods, and protect our air, water, land and wildlife.

To learn more on the topic & what you can do to help go to: American Farmland Trust