Alva Review-Courier -

America has lost millions of acres of farmland over nearly three decades to urban and rural development.

Despite conservation efforts by state and local governments and increased financial incentives for farmers, urban development and the expansion of rural residential real estate over the last 25 years has eliminated farmland across the country at levels not seen since the early 1970s.

Since 1992, nearly 31 million acres of farmland have been developed for residential use around urban centers and rural communities, according American Farmland Trust's latest report, "Farms Under Threat."

And a...