An Examination of the Effectiveness of County Zoning to Preserve Prime Agricultural Land in Iowa, January 1979

(1979) An Examination of the Effectiveness of County Zoning to Preserve Prime Agricultural Land in Iowa, January 1979. University of Iowa

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Abstract

The preservation of prime agricultural land has been frequently discussed in Iowa over the past several years. The Iowa 2000 and Century III programs have helped lead discussions on this and other topics of import to Iowa's future, and the recently-passed H.F. 210, Land Preservation Law, represents official recognition by the State Legislature of the need to preserve agricultural lands. A primary pressure for converting agricultural land to other uses is nonfarm, predominantly residential, growth in the unincorporated rural portions of Iowa. This pattern of exurban development also threatens the rural character of the unincorporated areas in addition to consuming valuable farm land. Two Iowa counties, Black Hawk and Story, have attempted to deal directly with the preservation of prime agricultural land through the use of county zoning. Available data from these two counties, as well as from other sources, were examined to assess the results of agricultural land preservation efforts.