According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Canyon County lost 25 percent of its agricultural acreage to development and Ada County lost 7 percent in just the five years from 1997 to 2002. To get a broader perspective of urban growth into traditional Canyon County agricultural lands, view a short video of two aerial photos of the area directly south of Caldwell, Idaho. The photos, taken in 1992 and 2009, dramatically underscore why it is imperative that we address the problem of uncontrolled urban growth. (Go to http://agriculturesfuture.com/Index.htm to view the video.)
For the record: The Coalition is not anti-grow or development. But we do believe that Idaho and its people must find or develop new methods and strategies that incorporate a planned integration of urban and rural interest. We must not unintentionally or deliberately sacrifice agricultural land on the alter of urban development. To do so is to risk loosing the agricultural heritage that has made Idaho the great state is is today. We also believe there is no time to waste in addressing the issue.
The Coalition for Agriculture's Future understands well the lack of planning that has been allowed to go on in this valley and are trying to do something about it.
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