In George Magazine’s March 1988 issue, in an article titled The 10 Most Corrupt Cities in America, Greg Hoffman gave readers a clear window into the not-so-glamorous turnouts of city life. In the suburban town in San Joaquin Valley known as Clovis, California, the population doubling over the last decade attracted land developers—willing to cookie-cut their way to fortune by filling the land with new construction. According to the Los Angeles Times, “A farmer barely meeting his mortgage could quadruple the value of his land by selling it to the right developer with the political juice.”
In January of 1994, lawyer William Tatham Jr. wanted to develop 152 houses on 40 acres of farmland purchased in Clovis. While his proposal for the project was denied by the city council, lobbyist Jeffrey T. Roberts provided Tatham with a plan for approval. Councill member Leif Sorensen requested $10,000 to approve for the rezoning proposal. “ Sorensen was so blatant—he negotiated the $10,000 like I was buying a car,” Tatham stated. He then agreed to the bribe and bought a voice recorder, made the deal in cash as per request, and gave the evidence to the FBI. “Operation Rezone” led to nine guilty pleas and the convictions of politicians and developers in Clovis and Fresno, including Sorensen. “There’s still a corrupt underbelly financed by certain developers—and because the money is still there—the corruption is still there,” FBI’s Operation Rezone Chief Investigator, Jim Wedick, explained.
According to the American Farmland Trust, farmland in the U.S. is rapidly declining, putting food supply in rural economies at risk. With farmland decreasing by 31 million acres in the last twenty years (a territory equivalent to the size of New York), more and more families are losing touch with not only their family’s history of farming, but we as Americans are increasingly consuming more and more mass-produced foods with harmful additives and preservatives, putting us all at greater risk of sickness. In less than a generation, the U.S. has lost 11 million acres of its best farmland to the expanding U.S. cities and towns. Large-lot properties have been increasing since 1997 and are often too small to include traditional farming, ranching, and forestry. This loss of open space has decreased wildlife drastically and increased the value of agricultural production.
Straying away from traditions and family businesses like farming leaves us more opportunities to venture out—both good and bad. The rise of crime in cities has grown as suburban towns evolved into concrete jungles. The properties that house new families and commercial businesses were once agricultural areas, limiting the accessibility to farmland across the nation. As this urbanization grows, there is more competition for land along with other natural resources. The rise of the cost of homes has increased substantially in areas like New York where this is taking place.
Of the many diets or lifestyles floating around the last decade, veganism is a popular health trend, promoting the safety and humane rights of animals normally bred for consumption while also pinning global environmental decline of agriculture. In various videos and forums on the internet promoting veganism, a huge part of the reason to refrain from consuming any animal products is supported by sharing the message that not only will you save innocent lives, but you will save the planet as well.
In a 2021 Gallup poll, about 3% of Americans identify as vegans or maintaining a plant-based diet. According to other statistics, Millennials and Gen-Z are more likely to have a vegan lifestyle, while 10-15% of Americans are reducing meat consumption altogether. A significant shift toward veganism could reduce demand for animal products, including beef, poultry, pork, and dairy. As a result, there could be fewer animals raised for food in the U.S. This might lead to the closure or downsizing of factory farms and smaller livestock operations, particularly those focused on beef, dairy, and pork. The reduction in demand for animal products could lead to job losses in industries related to meat and dairy, including slaughterhouses, meatpacking plants, and dairy farms, resulting in economic consequences in rural areas where livestock farming is a major source of employment.
The continuous depletion of farmland in the United States represents a critical tipping point, one that ripples through every facet of society. As agricultural land vanishes, the very foundation of our food systems weakens, leading to rising food insecurity, higher prices, and an over-reliance on unsustainable practices. The economic consequences are undeniable: the erosion of farm revenue, the loss of rural jobs, and the increasing pressure on local economies. Moreover, the environmental costs are steep, as soil degradation, water depletion, and loss of biodiversity intensify.
As farmland disappears, the effects spill over into other areas—healthcare, education, infrastructure—creating a seemingly irreversible downward spiral. Communities once built around agriculture face economic stagnation, while urban areas struggle to keep up with the demands of a growing population. This depletion isn’t just an agricultural issue; it’s a societal one, threatening our long-term stability and prosperity. The urgent need for sustainable land management, policy reform, and innovation in farming practices has never been more pressing. Without a concerted effort to protect and restore our farmland, the consequences will continue to unfold, leaving a weakened nation, unprepared for the challenges of the future.
