Farming in urbanizing areas discussed in Nov. 14 Olson Seminar

The battle between development and preservation of farmland in urbanizing areas will be the topic Nov. 14 of the next Paul A. Olson Seminar in Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

J. Dixon Esseks, visiting scholar in UNL's Center for Great Plains Studies, will present "What kinds of farms and ranches can survive in urbanizing areas? Hobby and/or commercial? Temporary and/or lasting?" from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St. The seminar and a 3 p.m. reception in the museum are free and open to the public.

Esseks will discuss how many agriculturally important, urbanizing communities show interest in preserving a significant farming sector. He will also look at how governmental bodies and citizens groups often focus on the need to protect the production of locally grown food, the jobs and investment income that viable farming and ranching enterprises can yield, the scenic beauty that working agricultural landscapes can provide, and the environmental benefits of well-managed farms.

Significant competition arises, however, from residential and other urban users who can often outbid farmers when farmland is up for sale. In addition, many farmers choose to sell out rather than cope with the field labor shortages, closing of implement dealers and other factors that come with encroaching urbanization.

Esseks is emeritus professor of public administration at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. That campus is in an agricultural area, but it's less than 60 miles from downtown Chicago and sees the city's suburbs creep closer every year. His talk will focus on decisions and outcomes in DeKalb County and four others in the Corn Belt -- Madison and Lancaster counties in Nebraska; Dane County, Wis., the site of Madison, the state capital; and Dakota County, Minn., near the Twin Cities.

The Olson Seminars are presented by the Center for Great Plains Studies.

CONTACT: Kim Weide, Great Plains Studies, (402) 472-3964