Author(s): Kristen Edwards

Presentation: oral

Urbanization of the land in Idaho has created new housing developments and The Village at Meridian. To many these new homes and activity centers provide both a place to reside as well as a destination to engage in leisurely activities away from struggles of daily life. However, the reparations of these housing developments and activity centers are the depletion of farmland. Loss of farmland has forced farmers in Idaho to relocate and purchase farmland overseas in order to continue their agricultural production. Overseas agriculture in comparison to local agriculture may begin to have a negative effect on Idaho’s economy. With the decreasing percentages of local farmland in Idaho and farmland growing overseas, it may begin to affect Idaho’s economy. Research will be conducted by reviewing scholarly articles as well as conducting interviews with local Idaho farmers. Agriculture is a base industry in the state of Idaho, which is essential for the survival of any community. Identifying factors that are leading to the depletion of farmland are crucial to develop potential solutions in order to preserve agricultural land and allow farmers to remain in Idaho. Further research may prove that disappearing farmland leads to a suffering economy. **Environmental Studies Major**

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