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Prime and other Important Farmlands-Mesa County Area, Colorado 32.5 ROAD GRAVEL PIT
<br />Prime and other Important Farmlands
<br />This table lists the map units in the survey area that are considered important
<br />farmlands. Important farmlands consist of prime farmland, unique farmland, and
<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,
<br />State, and local government organizations, has inventoried land that can be used
<br />for the 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,
<br />as well as individuals, should encourage and facilitate the wise use of our Nation's
<br />prime farmland.
<br />Prime farmland, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is land that has
<br />the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food,
<br />feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is available for these uses. It could be
<br />cultivated land, pastureland, forestland, or other land, but it is not urban or built-up
<br />land orwaterareas. The soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply are those
<br />needed for the soil to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when
<br />proper management, including water management, and acceptable farming
<br />methods are applied.- n g ne era , prime farmland->f as an adequate and dependable
<br />• supply of moisture from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and
<br />growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, an acceptable salt and sodium
<br />content, and few or no rocks. The water supply is dependable and of adequate
<br />quality. Prime farmland is permeable to water and air. It is not excessively erodible
<br />or saturated with water for long periods, and it either is not frequently flooded during
<br />the growing season or is protected from flooding. Slope ranges mainly from 0 to 6
<br />percent. More detailed information about the criteria for prime farmland is available
<br />at the local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
<br />For some of the soils identified in the table as prime farmland, measures that
<br />overcome a hazard or limitation, such as flooding, wetness, and droughtiness, are
<br />needed. Onsite evaluation is needed to determine whether or not the hazard or
<br />limitation has 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
<br />of specific high-value food and fiber crops, such as citrus, tree nuts, olives,
<br />cranberries, and other fruits and vegetables. It has the special combination of soil
<br />quality, growing season, moisture supply, temperature, humidity, air drainage,
<br />elevation, and aspect needed for the soil to economically produce sustainable high
<br />yields of these crops when properly managed. The water supply is dependable and
<br />of adequate quality. Nearness to markets is an additional consideration. Unique
<br />farmland is not based on national criteria. It commonly is in areas where there is a
<br />special microclimate, such as the wine country in California.
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<br />USDA Natural Resources Web Soil Survey 2.0 7/17/2008
<br />2WW Conservation Service National Cooperative Soil Survey Page 1 of 2
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