Expansion of Solar and Housing Projects Drives Farmland Loss in U.S.

Competition for agricultural land is growing across the United States due to the expansion of housing, solar projects, businesses, and data centers. The American Farm Bureau Federation reports that since 1982, America’s cropland has declined by more than 55 million acres, while developed land increased by 47.6 million acres between 1982 and 2022. Farmland also declined from 900 million acres in 2017 to 876 million acres in 2024.

The loss of productive farmland raises concerns about national food security and the viability of farm families. The American Farm Bureau Federation states that once farmland is covered by infrastructure, it is unlikely to return to agriculture. The organization notes that high land values and difficult farm economics make it challenging for farmers to maintain their land.

A new discussion highlights the tension between solar energy development and the needs of food production, alongside government roadmaps providing funding for innovation and environmental schemes.