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Agricultural: Preserving large <br />swaths of farmland <br />Agricultural communities encompass areas with <br />prime agricultural soils that are planned and <br />zoned for long-term agricultural use. These <br />communities are home to the bulk of contiguous <br />lands enrolled in the Metropolitan Agricultural <br />Preserves and Green Acres Programs or <br />cultivated for commercial agricultural purposes. <br />In the Agricultural area, agriculture IS the <br />development. The Council supports the <br />preservation of agricultural land to protect the <br />region's agricultural economy, provide economic <br />opportunities for farmers, and to promote local <br />food production. These long-term uses support <br />the region's economic competitiveness as they provide opportunities for local agricultural- and <br />food -based industry clusters and production for local food consumption. <br />MEE <br />imam <br />Alitmolcom <br />Aillikaspar <br />mintraviiits. <br />A '' __ awut <br />mitionikar <br />AMIN* I <br />The preservation of long-term agricultural uses and the integration of best management <br />practices in farm operations also contribute to regional sustainability. The incorporation of best <br />management practices, such as conservation tillage and carbon sequestration, can improve soil <br />fertility, reduce soil erosion, and improve overall soil and water quality. Long-term agricultural <br />uses can also contribute to the region's air quality by reducing local food transportation <br />distances and related greenhouse gas emissions. <br />The Council discourages urban levels of development in rural areas to reduce development <br />pressure on agricultural lands and to avoid the premature demand for expansion of metropolitan <br />systems and other urban public services. Regional investments in infrastructure such as roads <br />and wastewater treatment will focus on rural levels of service, while recognizing the need to <br />include transportation infrastructure consistent with market access and the agricultural needs of <br />the area. <br />The Council forecasts that Agricultural communities will add xx,000 residents, xx,000 <br />households and xx,000 jobs between 2010 and 2040. This represents growth of xx percent in <br />population, xx percent in households and xx percent in employment over the three decades. <br />Agricultural communities are: [add list here] <br />DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Last revised: February 21, 2014 61 <br />