|
Custom Soil Resource Report
<br />farmland of statewide or local importance. This list does not constitute a
<br />recommendation for a particular land use.
<br />In an effort to identify the extent and location of important farmlands, the Natural
<br />Resources Conservation Service, in cooperation with other interested Federal, State,
<br />and local government organizations, has inventoried land that can be used for the
<br />production of the Nation's food supply.
<br />Prime farmland is of major importance in meeting the Nation's short- and long -range
<br />needs for food and fiber. Because the supply of high - quality farmland is limited, the
<br />U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes that responsible levels of government, as
<br />well as individuals, should encourage and facilitate the wise use of our Nation's prime
<br />farmland.
<br />Prime farmland, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is land that has the
<br />best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed,
<br />forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is available for these uses. It could be cultivated
<br />land, pastureland, forestland, or other land, but it is not urban or built -up land or water
<br />areas. The soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply are those needed for the
<br />soil to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when proper management,
<br />including water management, and acceptable farming methods are applied. In
<br />general, prime farmland has an adequate and dependable supply of moisture from
<br />precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable
<br />acidity or alkalinity, an acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or no rocks. The
<br />water supply is dependable and of adequate quality. Prime farmland is permeable to
<br />water and air. It is not excessively erodible or saturated with water for long periods,
<br />and it either is not frequently flooded during the growing season or is protected from
<br />flooding. Slope ranges mainly from 0 to 6 percent. More detailed information about
<br />the criteria for prime farmland is available at the local office of the Natural Resources
<br />Conservation Service.
<br />For some of the soils identified in the table as prime farmland, measures that overcome
<br />a hazard or limitation, such as flooding, wetness, and droughtiness, are needed.
<br />Onsite evaluation is needed to determine whether or not the hazard or limitation has
<br />been overcome by corrective measures.
<br />A recent trend in land use in some areas has been the loss of some prime farmland
<br />to industrial and urban uses. The loss of prime farmland to other uses puts pressure
<br />on marginal lands, which generally are more erodible, droughty, and less productive
<br />and cannot be easily cultivated.
<br />Unique farmland is land other than prime farmland that is used for the production of
<br />specific high -value food and fiber crops, such as citrus, tree nuts, olives, cranberries,
<br />and other fruits and vegetables. It has the special combination of soil quality, growing
<br />season, moisture supply, temperature, humidity, air drainage, elevation, and aspect
<br />needed for the soil to economically produce sustainable high yields of these crops
<br />when properly managed. The water supply is dependable and of adequate quality.
<br />Nearness to markets is an additional consideration. Unique farmland is not based on
<br />national criteria. It commonly is in areas where there is a special microclimate, such
<br />as the wine country in California.
<br />In some areas, land that does not meet the criteria for prime or unique farmland is
<br />considered to be farmland of statewide importance for the production of food, feed,
<br />fiber, forage, and oilseed crops. The criteria for defining and delineating farmland of
<br />statewide importance are determined by the appropriate State agencies. Generally,
<br />this land includes areas of soils that nearly meet the requirements for prime farmland
<br />and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated and managed
<br />according to acceptable farming methods. Some areas may produce as high a yield
<br />50
<br />
|