Chapter 2: Goals & Data
Goal 5: Agricultural lands and soils will be available, affordable, and conserved for future generations of farmers and to meet the needs of Vermont’s food system.
Development pressures have consistently and historically decreased farmland across the country. Conserving the agricultural landscape of Vermont and the region and ensuring affordable access to farmland are key components to the long-term sustainability of Vermont and New England's food system. What does the data show? Total farmland in New England has decreased 9.1% (421,630 acres) from 1982 to 2012. Vermont has lost the most farmland in New England during that timeframe: 322,728 acres (a 20.5% decrease). From 1997 to 2012, New England experienced a slight rebound with a 1.7% (69,888) increase in farmland. However, Vermont experienced a 4.8% (63,602 acres) decrease during this period.
Download Goal Data (XLSX 1MB)
Population Indicators: Land in Agriculture Decreased Across Most of New England from 1982 to 2012; Trend may be Flattening
Population Indicators: Land in Agriculture--Mostly Pastureland--in Vermont Decreased 20.5% from 1982 to 2012; Trend may be Flattening
Population Indicators: Vermont Pastureland Dramatically Decreased from 1982 to 2012, but Census Question Order Leads to Confusing Results
Population Indicators: Decrease in Land in Agriculture by Farm Type Shows that Dairy Accounts for Most of Decline from 1997 to 2017
Population Indicators: Land in Agriculture for Several Non-Dairy Farm Categories Increased from 1997 to 2017
Population Indicators: Acres of Conserved Vermont Farmland Increased 270% from 2010 to 2013
