dynamics of land use in New York State

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

This material from the
WNWAITION MIT= Department's official magazine -
N. Y. STATE CONSERVATION DEPT. JUL THE N. Y. STATE CONSERVATIONIST
DIVISION OF CONSERVATION EDUCATION
PrOperty of CSC Library
Coastal Zone
Information
Center
COME 10HE Ira i 9A
HD AUG

96
The Dynamics. of Land Use in.
New York State

by Howard E. Conklin, Professor of Land Economics,
New York State College of Agriculture, Cornell University

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
6Z ''COASTAL SERV
CENTER
2234 SOUTH H SO N'@4@ V E N U E
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N48
C,66 APRIL-MAY, 1964
3' 1964

The Dynamics,, of Land Use in
New 'I, York State

by Howard E. Conklin, Professor-of Land Economics,
New York State College of Agriculture, Cornell University

RICULTURE in New York is a
highly vigorous and dynamic in-
-N.dustry. Farmers in this State, In 1947 we published a series of articles in THE CONSERVATIONIST calling
in partnership with science and attention to the biggest conservation *problem in the State-what to do with
industry. make greater progress in meth- millions of acres of sub-marginal hill I
ands spread across the backbone of Neu,
ods of lands use each decade than their York that had gone out of agricultural production since the late 1800's.
forefathers made in centuries.
Farm output in New York State has That trend has continued-and accelerated, as pointed out by Howard E.
increased by 1/3 since 1900, while the Conklin in the accompanying article. But one thing has changed. Something is
land devoted to commercial farming being done about it. A rural revolution is in progress in New York-its course
has declined by 50 per cent in the same traced in these three lead articles.-A. W. BROMLEY
period. As a consequence. eleven million
acres have been made available for urban
uses. reforestation. and outdoor recrea.
tion in many forms. Some of this area re-
mains in part-time farms, but part-time
farming today is increasingly a form of INDEX OF NUMBER OF
recreation. PRODUCTION FARMS
Part-time farms and the smaller com- (1926 - 30 - 100) (THOUSANDS) LAND IN FARMS
mercial farms are declining rapidly at (MILLIONS OF ACRES)
the present time. The area in all farms in 135--
New York has declined at the rate of 125-- -30
250,000 acres per year from 1950 to 1960. -28
Progress in New York agriculture is 115--
one phase of the total progress we have
made in this nation since the -turn of the 105-- AGRICULTURAL 245 -26
century. The basic problem of man in -24
all times and places has been one of in- 95 -- - 22
creasing the ability of his hand and mind
to convert natural resources into things 85 -- 215
lie wants. at the same time diminishing - 20
the supply of resources as little as pos- 75-- C
sible. As "man increases the ability of his @t'@J4 - 18
hand and mind, his time becomes more 65-- P4
'91@fs -- 185 -16
Valuable. both to him and to others. New 55--
York's agricultural progress traces to the
N -P -14
man a very valuable commodity in this NCO - 12
changes that have made the labor of a N?_

part of the world. 155
The high value of labor presents itself - 10
to a farmer as attractive alternatives for
himself and as high wages for his hired
man. These attractive alternatives are 125
taking many farmers out of farming. The
pressure of scarce and costly hired labor
forces those who remain farmers to in-
crease output per hour of labor. 95
One important way to increase output
per hour is to increase yields per acre.
RIO

AGRICULTURAL

New York farmers have been pushing
aggressively for higher yields--and they
are getting them! fn fact they have in. 65
creased yields well beyond the rate at
which demand for food has increased.
Land has been retired as a result. 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960
Progress in this nation will continue, SIXTY YEARS OF CHANGE IN NEW YORK AGRICULTURE

and progress in agriculture will remain
a part of it. The retirement of farm land
in this State traces directly to such ad-
vances as introduction of new crops,
genetic improvement of old crops, formu-
lation of new herbicides and insecti-
cides. manufacture of new fertilizers,
preparation of new feed additives, im-
provements in livestock and in medical
care, and development of new techniques
for combining old factors of production.
Mechanization has contributed to in-
creased yields by permitting more timely
planting and harvest, increased use of
irrigation, and better drainage. The sci-
entific and industrial pipelines are full
of possibilities for further improvements.
A new package of techniques very re-
cently has become available for growing New York cannot continue indefinitely
corn in this State. Widespread adoption to retire 250,000 acres per year from
of this package surely will lead to much farming, but the new ideas and tech.
substitution of high yielding corn silage niques that are on hand or being pushed
for lower Yielding hay and a consequent toward completion will continue to sus-
reduction in the area needed in dairy tain land retirement for many years to
farming. Mechanization of forage han- come.
dling and of barn feeding currently is The land that is passing out of farm-
reducing the importance of pasture. Pas- ing has problems. of course. and some of
turing dairy cows may be an obsolete Color denotes counties these may limit its suitability for other
practice in 25 years: output per acre where decline in agriculture uses. Retired farm land often is located
being so much higher for cultivated crops exceeds state-wide average in the somewhat more remote areas of
than pasture. the State. often is on hill tops. and fre-
quently has a rough and broken topog-
raphy. Nearly all of it has soil and water
problems, The soils usually are the kind

that are wet in spring and dry in sum.
mer-too wet to plant crops on time in
spring and too dry for top yields in sum-
mer. A few of the soils are all right in
spring but too dry in summer. and a few
STATE OF NEW YORK are too wet the year round.
Roads throughout the State are being
continuously improved. however. making
the remote areas and the hilltops more
accessible. Broken topography actually
adds to the attractiveness of many areas
for recreation. Wet-droughty soils will
not grow trees like red pine, but many
species will provide at least a beautiful
cover and these soils often are well
adapted to pond and small wildlife marsh
construction.
Progress in farming has freed large
areas of land in New York State for other
uses, and this progress is continuing. We
of this State have a vast and growing
resource that can be used to satisfy our
longing for the great out of doors. May
we use it wisely.

PERCENTAGE DECLINE IN LAND IN COMMERCIAL FARMS, 1900-1960
STATE-WIDE AVERAGE DECLINE 51%

nmv rRWAIRM
ew,,@ 'or
Dynamics ol Land 'Ose,
A,,0
M9
Found in New York: 11 Million Acres for
T
ENS of thousands of New York
families have found a new way
of life. A way of life returning
satisfaction and enjoyment scarce-
ly dreamed of previously. The base for
this life-10. 50 or 100 of the 11 million
Z-
acres of obsolete farm land in New York.
[Ed. note: See Howard E. Conklin's
article.]
These families reaping a harvest of
contentment and relaxation from their
acres may well be the forerunners for
hundreds of thousands of other New
York families. These precursors have P4,
found these lands can vield an abundant
crop of recreation, the very thing so
many search for today; a spot to escape
the everyday pressures and concerns: an
L
island of privacy; a place of relaxation.
to the
This relaxation is important
family but it also will be of great im-
portance to communities. Use of lands
for family living and recreation will
become a major factor in many rural
areas and will increasingly influence
Remodeled homes (as here) pro-
community life and development. vide better family living and stimu- Iwo own
Some communities will find the ma- late business in rural communities
jority of families are year-lon, residents
on their acreage, with the bread winner
driving to work in nearby towns. Other
communities may find substantial num-
hers of families using their land only
on week ends or vacations, perhaps most
of the family spending the summer on
the property. the husband enjoying the
familv recreation spot on week ends.
These family living lands, these prop.
erties developed by families for their
own recreation, are quite different than
the mass outdoor recreation develop.
ments we frequently notice. Commercial
and public recreation lands generally 117 t
require large sums of money for proper
development. They are obvious, eye-
catching manifestations of the desire
New York families have to enjoy them.
,elves in the outdoors. Although many
families will use these commercial facil-
ities. many others will create a "resort"
of their own.
These families will find minor effort
and investments will enable their prop-
erty to return greater enjoyment. Devel-
oping a pond will provide the chance
for a cooling dip and, if fish are stocked, Once a bit of swainjoy, obsolete farm land
allow all the family to try and catch
that "lunker" lurking in the cool water.
Many families will reforest acres, per- Horseback riding, gardening, bird The rural community can have greater
haps mostly for the satisfaction of seeing watching and simply walking through peace of mind too if families are en-
the young trees begin their soaring woods and fields are other activities fam- couraged to use obsolete farm land for
growth skyward. Others would rather ily members will un& .rtake to make recreation. This very use has largely
view a soaring grouse over a shotgun their properties "pay off." Pay off not been responsible for the increase in
and so will develop their property with in dollars, but in contentment, in peace values of rural land in New York State.
this in mind. of mind. A recent study in Tompkins County

Family Living by Bruce T. Wilkins, R .obert W. Snyder,
N.Y.S. College of Agriculture, Cornell University

indicates that today acreages of bare But not all of the values to the com- A community insuring the preserva-
land, with no buildings, are being pur- munity are measured in taxes, jobs or tion of the beauty of its countryside adds
chased by families primarily for family even dollars. Surely none of these are further stimulation to people's desire to
living, at an average cost of $25 an an adequate yardstick of the value of own land in that area. Some things, not
acre. New York State has found that to strengthened and resurgent community as easily noted as the beautiful scenery,
purchase recreation lands under its re- services. Churches, schools, hospitals and may in the long run be of equal or
cent land acquisition bond issue has other services in many rural areas can greater value in increasing demand. The
cost not the $5 an acre of the 1930's but be maintained and further developed agencies serving rural New York and lo-
rather some $35 an acre. This increase when more families wisely use their land cated within the counties can provide
in land value has clearly led to increased resource. By maintaining the population educational, technical or even financial
tax revenue for rural areas. of rural areas, the non-farming resident assistance to these families. Extension
Added tax revenue becomes minor, can help keep the community strong, Service Associations, Soil Conservation
however, when compared to the increased economically, socially and politically. Districts and Agricultural Stabilization
assessment on properties when new These are desirable aspects for both and Conservation Committees can all
houses, cottages or summer places are the families owning the land and for lend great impetus to family recreational
constructed. the community. These probable changes use of this type of land.
An extreme example of this effect is are not without potential problems and County government can be concerned
one parcel of 300 acres of woods and concerns, however. There are indications with other items such as providing ade-
pasture on which taxes of $160 were that communities may find increased de- quate police protection of buildings, of
paid some 15 years ago. Ten years later mands, for more services and for better particular concern to non-resident own-
this same 300 acres, with 40 summer quality services. Roads become particu- ers absent much of the time. Certainly
homes built by families about a man- larly important to families whose bread good roads, well. maintained, can dra-
made lake, provided some $3,000 in tax winner must commute to work each day. matically effect the demand for.a par-
revenue to this rural town. Tax gains The problem riot only of maintaining ticular property. Led by good roads to
accrue also to the community from im- these roads but of snow plowing can a commulnity, other activities could be
provement of existing buildings. When assume great importance in many rural inaugurated to encourage part-time resi-
new roofs or new sidings are installed communities. Additional costs may in- dent families to use Jt1heir properties
and other improvements made on exist- clude increased expenditures for schools more frequently. Maple syrup festivals
ing dwellings the community 'gains not if rural populations increase. or celebration of fishing season or hunt-
only better looking homes, but in addi- These considerations of increased cost ing season openings might attract these
tion, more taxes. Nearly $2,000 was leads some observers to point up the ad- families to use their rural retreat more
spent on home improvements in seven vantages of a community attracting part- frequently. Still other opportunities do
years by the average family in the Tomp- time residents, rather than full-time resi- exist for communities to help meet the
kins County study, and these improve- dents. Living most of the year away from needs of these families-needs which,
ments were duly noted and included by their property these part-time residents when met, stimulate other families to
assessors. The tax roles aren't the only place no increased demand on schools purchase, develop and use these obsolete
place changes will show up. . in the rural areas and winter snow re- lands for recreation.
The entire community is also affected moval on roads servicing these homes is - Every rural community in New York
by increased job opportunities-jobs of less pressing. No school buses use these will be effected by the changing uses
a service nature. Employment is stimu- roads and perhaps few cars travel them of land. Some, with forethought and con-
lated in local grocery stores, drug stores from the end of deer season to spring. sidered judgment, will direct this op-
and the community bank, for example. Some observers have suggested these- portunity so it provides maximum value
The number of workers needed will grow reasons are attractive enough for cer- to the families owning the land and to
as people not only live in, but improve tain communities to attempt to develop the community.
or build new dwellings on abandoned procedures for maintaining certain roads Oliver Wendell Holmes once said:
farms. Paint, lumber, hardware must be only during specified times of the year. "I find the great thing in the world is
purchased, and applied. In most rural This is certainly one way by which the not so much where we stand, as in the
areas there will be a greater demand demand for these lands can be influenced direction, we are moving."
for carpenters, electricians and well by a community. We- can move in the direction of
drillers, for example, than there have Many other possibilities for stimulating utilizing these 11 million acres to meet
been in years past. demand exist-from simply welcoming more fully the desire of many New
Developing the land resource for the families, thus encouraging others to use York families to own some land-to
family's enjoyment creates additional and develop lands in the community for yield a new kind of "return." A return
job opportunities. Construction of a recreational purposes-to more active in the form of a Christmas tree cut
pond will require hiring a bulldozer encouragement for families. For ex- from seedlings they planted. A return
and a bulldozer operator, the operator ample, few resources increase the rec- possibly measured in the width of a
purchasing his dozer from a local equip- reational potential of an area as does smile over the first fish caught in the
ment dealer. Planting of the meadows water. With today's technological know- family pond, or a muskrat trapped on
to trees provides still more business op- how, many communities could un- the family marsh. A return as simple,
portunities for the commercial nurser 'ies, doubtedly encourage the use of land by as peaceful and as quiet as watching
commercial tree planting services and families for recreation by helping to your family enjoy and cherish the land
the manufacturer of the tree planter. provide large bodies of water. you own and wisely use.

Rural Resources D-evelopment-a. Framework for

OUNDL ESS opportunity! T 'hat is by our vast expanses of second growth technical services, financing, etc., that
how we, and, we trust how you, forest. "Green lies, " some foresters dub may be needed to reach a specific ob-
react to the situations described them. They look like forests, feel like jective.
Bin the two preceding articles. forests, smell like forests, but in reality At the Federal level, R.A.D. obtains
Sweeping and swift changes in land are far from forests in the sense of its principal guidance from the United
use present new opportunities for having the kinds and quality of timber States Department of Agriculture, al-
natural resource development at a time that present markets demand. While we though other departments of the Federal
in history when our needs in outdoor do not underestimate the aesthetic, rec- government now co-operate closely. Ac-
recreation are skyrocketing. Efficiencies reation, wildlife and watershed values cordingly, in the states the U.S.D.A.
in our dynamic agriculture are releasing of these forest lands, think what more agencies, and others with ties to
4open space for housing, industry and they might contribute to the community U.S.D.A., have certain responsibilities
transportation, almost as if this space if, . through, an intensified search, we with respect to R.A.D. The New York
was a programmed product of this might find better markets and more State Co-operative Extension Service and
gigantic enterprise. And, at the same efficient harvest techniques for the woods County Extension Service Associations,
time, we enjoy the blessings of a State products they do produce. forinstance, are called upon to organize
and a nation well stocked with the food, Now, reverse each "coin." In the other citizen committees at the local level, as
fiber and other wealth from land-even aspect, the problem becomes opportu- well as a State Committee. Similarly,
eno,igh to share with other peoples. nity; a challenge for people to seek the Farmers' Home Administration in
Opportunities? Indeed, they are pres- solutions, and beyond; the promise of New York brings together technical
ent in this situation. But so are prob- something better socially, economically. agencies that may serve@ the program
lems. A close-in view reveals them at People in New York State commu- through county and state Technical Ac-
every turn, side by side with opportunity, nities are looking beyond problems to tion Panels. State and local govern-
as the two sides of a coin. Perhaps that's possibilities. They have been doing it ment specialists in conservation, health,
a good analogy; we shall return to it. in many places, in many ways. Much of labor and education may be on county
Take some local areas where rural the organized effort has a highly spe. committees, Technical Action Panels, or
residences-the ones Robert W. Snyder cified purpose, with goals centered on both.
and Bruce T. Wilkins speak of-abound. attracting new industry, improving the
.What other land uses have moved in as production and marketing of an agri- R.R.D. in New York
agriculture withdrew to more favorable cultural commodity, abating pollution,
soils: Auto graveyards? Unkept prop- providing vocational education, or en- In New York, County Agricultural
erties? Housetrailers, in row upon row larging public hunting and fishing op- Agents-in 26 counties have tapped local
without trees or any semblance of land- portunity. Other approaches we recog- leadership to form R.R.D. committees.
scaping? And what of the effect of these nize immediately to be directed to broad- Usually the appointments are made in
latter land -uses: How much do they er aims. A town or county planning board close consultation with the County
depress both human values and land would be an example. Board of Supervisors and other county
values? groups with broad responsibility. Com-
Or, take community facilities for out. mittee representation includes men and
door recreation. Our State's $100 mil- The R.R.D. Program women leaders in all walks of life:
lion bond acts were momentous pioneer- Business, agriculture, conservation, lo-
ing ventures in modern-day conserva- In 1963, something new appeared on cal government, education.
tion. But how many communities, es- our scene of group endeavor in com- The State Committee, after meeting
pecially villages and small towns, did munity improvement, a county or re- several times under the leadership of
inot apply for this help and perhaps still gional program concept known as Rural Directors of Extension M. C. Bond, and
do not recognize the benefits that might Resources Development. It is New York then his successor, A. A. Johnson,
accrue to their residents if they had a State's adaptation of a nationwide pro- elected its own officers late in 1963.
local park? Often, such communities gram projected toward economic growth Harold L. Creal of Homer serves as
literally will be surrounded by land and social development-Rural Areas Chairman; Silas Eakins, of Potsdam,
that might be purchased for such use at Development. This program (R.A.D.), as Vice Chairman; and Clifford R. Har-
relatively low cost. perhaps will be recognized by the read- rington, Associate Director of Exten-
Still in the vein of outdoor recreation, er as beginning during President Eisen- sion, as Secretary.
how do you tackle this one: The paral- hower's administration to . counter sev- So much for organization; how do
lel yet complementary development of erely depressed economic conditions these committees function?
public and commercial outdoor recrea- over scattered parts of the country. From
tion. Some families appear to be suc- its start on a pilot basis in only a few
.cessfully supplementing their income by -counties, it is now widespread. . . How It Works
operating campgrounds, golf courses or While the goals of R.R.D. (back 4n
marinas. Yet, their business future, and New York's nomenclature) are lofty, the Before answering that question, let
those of others desiring to begin such approach embodied in the concept is us look briefly at an important process
enterprises, can rise or fall depending direct and workable. The emphasis is present here. At one hand we have a
upon bow, and to what extent, public on a co-ordinated approach to solving problem, a need that has aroused con-
recreation facilities are provided. problems of the type that were men- cern. Obviously, there can be much
If the weight of these problems hasn't tioned earlier. In other words, bringing ground to cover between simply recog-
got you down, consider the enigma posed together local resources in education, nizing a need and meeting it success-

by Harlan B. Brumsted, N. Y. S. Co-operative Extension Service, Cornell University
Meeting Change for senior citizens-all are typical in- commercial outdoor recreation, family
clusions. residence outdoor recreation, and pub-
0 a Once concerns are identified, R.R.D. lic policy. Each presented its findings
committees give priorities to them and and recommendations in reports which
J, organize sub-committees to investigate first were approved by the full commit-
their situations. Cortland County has tee and then reviewed by local person-
ten sub-groups working concurrently. nel of many agencies.*
a Z, r11% Four or five is typical. One important topic in the forestry
rM report concerned problems of pulpwood
RR D t.^ One Step at a Time cutters in this region. Essentially, the
contractors faced difficulties both with
But again, R.R.D. is an action pro- business aspects of their operations and
0 gram and study is merely a first step in hiring skilled workers. As contractors
of essential preparation. Next comes the faltered, others suffered, too-wood lot
40 search for solutions to problems. Often owners, pulp cutters, processors. With
it's most realistic to work in terms of needs spelled out clearly by the Forestry
0 P a meaningful contribution to a solution; Sub-Committee, action shaped up rapid-
not the whole job. This is an important ly. It took the form of designing and
point, for nothing can cause a group to effecting two tailor-made education pro-
bog down more rapidly than setting forth grains; one in business management for
fully through the proper course of ac- to reshape the world and failing, when the contractors; a second in woods skills,
tion. The essence of these intervening it might have taken a series of short for their employees. Note this list of
steps is obtaining knowledge of the strides that really counted! all who are participating: Extension,
situation which, in turn, can lead to its A good example of a sound course College of Agriculture, College of For-
understanding. With these steps accom- is offered by the Wyoming County estry, State Conservation Department,
plished, constructive action can follow. R.R.D. Committee's exploration of some State Department of Labor, American
Mustering this knowledge, and work. pros and cons of formal county-wide Pulpwood Association, two consulting
ing toward full understanding of a planning-whether to set up a planning foresters and four forest -industries!
situation make up a "study stage" in board, hire consultants vs a county plan- Each has highly specialized contributions
which most of our county R.R.D. com- ning staff, and so forth. Here, the study to offer. Not one of them possessed the
mittees as new organizations, now are in itself was a required and important resources to do the job alone, but R.R.D.
engaged. The process may be undertaken form of action. Subsequent steps will be was able to harness these resources;
by the full committee or, more typically, taken by the Board of Supervisors but provide the catalyst, if you will, and
by sub-groups of the parent committee. a timely step that needed doing was strive for accomplishment.
In either case, it's a time for hearing accomplished by the R.R.D. Committee.
expert opinion, taking field trips, hold- Also, new or expanded education pro. Summing Up
ing discussion, and always one of roll- grams may be a valuable form of action,
ing up the sleeves and digging in. Take a county with growing numbers Let us sum up the R.R.D. approach.
Just what is all the studying about? of rural residential-recreational prop. While circumstances will alter em-
In experience thus far, the first one or erties. R.R.D. Committee studies and phasis, it is a process involving these
two R.R.D. Committee sessions brings recommendations could lead to the steps: (1) Identifying problems and
leading concerns to the fore; airs re- County Extension Service enlarging its concerns, (2) assigning priority for
gional problems without much probing. educational effort to this audience along work with them, (3) careful study of
Comparing lists of them, county by the lines of their conservation and out. "tuations, (4) outlining courses of ac-
county, reveals an astonishing degree door recreation interests, as described tion, (5) organizing the resources action
of similarity. Many rural problems truly in the preceding article. As individual demands, (6) conducting education to
are state-wi4fe in nature and importance, owners put practices into effect on their gain citizen response and support, and
although they may vary in degree, lo- land, their activity develops an increased (7) getting on with the job. Here, it
cale to locale. demand for technical assistance, and seems, is a comprehensive, concerted
Land- u se-related concerns invariably perhaps financial help, as well. approach; the tool with the temper and
turn up on such lists; matters along the edge required to shape change and com-
lines of land-use change. conflicting Co-ordination is Essential plexity into the benefits desired.
The coming months will see an in-.
types of land use, and interest in achiev, crease in tempo as existing R.R.D. com-
ing a measure of planning. Other nat- This brings us back again to the heart mittees swing from study into action,
ural resource- con c erns identify water pol- of this program, interagency co-opera- and new committees are formed in ad-
lution abatement, improved water sup- tion and co-ordination. They really are
ply, strengthening the future of com- the essence of what makes it different ditional counties. The interest and en-
mercial outdoor recreation, and expand. and able to be effective. A good example thusiasm of community workers -in
ing markets for forest production as of this teamwork in action is taking place R.R.D. is high. They note much press-
needs that are leading topics among now in three southwestern counties: Al. Ing work that begs attention. It's in-,
rural leadership these days. legany, Cattaraugus and . Chautauqua, spiring and a rewarding experience to
. Such lists always go on to embrace where there is a regional R.R.D. Com- have an active part in getting the job
even a wider range of social and econo- mittee. Formed late in 1962, this 35. done..
mic needs-improved highways, voca- member group worked during most of
tional training and re-training, housing 1963 in four sub-committees: Forestry,

DAM DUE

GAYLORD -1-10 IN U.S.A.

1110 1
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