Many important agricultural counties in the United States are urbanizing; and the long-term viability of farming there is in doubt despite consider-
able public policy efforts to retain the financial, employment, consumer, and other benefits of local farming enterprises. Focusing on 15 metro-
area counties in 14 states, the study's purpose was to identify condi-
tions under which farming may remain viable as important agricultural counties transition to become mostly urban and suburban in land use.
The research was funded by a National Research Initiative Grant from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (Grant #1004-35401-14944).
The research findings are available below in an overall report that synthesizes findings from the 15 counties and, also, in case studies from selected counties.