Farmland Preservation
Since the middle of the 20th century, there has been a dramatic decline in the amount of working agricultural lands on Cape Cod. The region’s population growth and demand for residential development, combined with a lack of protective land use regulations, has significantly changed the agricultural traditions of Cape Cod.
According to data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, over the past 60 years Cape Cod has lost approximately 70% of its working farmlands. In 1950, there were 621 active farms working close to 21,000 acres; currently, only 285 farms remain, on less than 6,000 acres.
In response to the need to protect the future of agriculture on Cape Cod, APCC and the Woods Hole Research Center have embarked on an in-depth analysis of the historical record and present day status of farming, impediments to farming, and future opportunities for the protection and enhancement of farming on Cape Cod. The overarching goals of the project are to prevent the net loss of working agricultural lands and farms, and to create policies to encourage new farming ventures.
APCC believes protecting farmlands and promoting working landscapes will help ensure the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage, diversify the local economy, increase local sustainability, improve the health of Cape Cod citizens and increase habitat for local species.
