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The Agriculture Theme provides numerous data layers that identify agricultural issues associated with natural resource protection. Some of the data sets provide economic data to help support decision making in relation to critical agricultural issues and their relationship with the Southeastern Ecological Framework (SEF). For more information on the agricultural economic benefits you can read an article from the Center for Watershed Protection at http://www.stormwatercenter.net There are many more articles listed in the Stormwater Manager's Resource Center site that appeared in "The Practice of Watershed Protection" at http:// www.stormwatercenter.net The theme data sets and associated data layers provide insight to existing conditions for your community. This information provides the opportunity to identify areas that can be protected, enhanced or restored to ensure ecosystem function for the long-term health of the community. For more information on agricultural land issues you can read the report Development at the Urban Fringe and Beyond: Impacts on Agriculture and Rural Land at Reference 1.
Watersheds
A data set used to show watershed boundaries. A watershed includes all the land where water, from rain or runoff, drains to a specific river or water body. Ridges of high land separate watersheds from each other. Also, every waterway has its own watershed and every person lives within a watershed. For example, if rain that falls on your yard flows down the street and into a creek that eventually ends in the Hillsborough River, then you live in the Hillsborough Watershed. This data set was developed using US Geological Survey data for 8-digit hydrologic unit codes (HUCs) (this size shows watersheds for large rivers). Information for smaller watersheds (i.e. 11-digit HUCs which includes smaller streams) can be found at Site1. For information on pollution sources within your watershed, check out EPA's Surf Your Watershed at Reference 2.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Reference 3 , Funding Information (search by # 10.906 or Watershed)
States
The states data set shows state boundaries and serves as a visual reference to identify natural resources that may cross state lines. To adequately protect your community's resources within the SEF may require a collaborative effort with neighboring counties may be required. This is important for developing strategies for resource protection efforts in approximately 150 watersheds that cross over state lines. For additional information on counties you can link to the census bureau at Site.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 15.916 or Land/Water conservation)
Counties
The county data set shows the county boundaries. This provides a visual reference for identifying locations on the map and navigating around the other data sets. To adequately protect your community's resources within the SEF may require a collaborative effort with neighboring counties may be required. For additional information on counties you can link to the census bureau at Reference 1.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 10.772 or Empowerment zones)
Riparian_Mask
This data set shows the different land types (agricultural, forest, urban, etc.) within a 100-foot buffer along the banks of a particular waterway. A riparian buffer is the area along a stream or riverbank that is covered by natural vegetation (i.e. trees, bushes, etc.). The riparian buffer helps filter pollutants and contaminants from water flowing into the waterway and reduce destructive riverbank erosion. This data set was created using National Land Cover Data (NLCD) and US Geological Survey data. This data can help identify riparian buffer areas that are either in their natural state and need preservation, have been altered by rural, urban or agricultural activities or are under possible threat of alteration or removal. The University of Nebraska in Lincoln has excellent documentation on riparian buffers in agricultural landscapes at Site1. The National Agroforestry Center identifies 50 feet in their riparian buffer design for croplands. For more information on this issue you can read their report at Site2.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Funding Information (search by # 66.419 or Water Pollution)
303D_(state abbreviation)_AG
The 303d_XX_AG data set identifies impaired waterways potentially impacted by agricultural non-point sources. Impairment may be from excess nutrients, sediments, chemical pollutants, animal wastes or other forms of contamination. The criteria for determining which waterways are impaired varies significantly from state to state so this data should be used with some caution. However, the information does provide insight to evaluated and monitored data from State sources that may provide important information in understanding non-point source issues in your local streams. For more information on the water quality in your State of interest visit Site1:
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.714 or Pesticides)
Rivers
The rivers data set was obtained from the US Geological Survey's National Hydrologic Data (NHD) set and provides the most accurate national coverage of rivers and streams in the United States to date. For more information you can go toSite1.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.454 or Water Quality)
Highways
The highways data set shows the Major Highways (based upon the 1995 Tiger database) within the specific map area. Highways serve as reference points to locate areas on the map. Combining the highways set with the SEF data sets allows you to easily identify locations where ecological areas are being fragmented or will be fragmented by future highway and land development. For more information on the Tiger data base and documentation go to Site1.
Reference 1 , Funding Information
Cities
The cities data set shows municipal boundaries for cities and towns. This data can be used to identify locations where land development is moving away from the city's center and may be threatening water and ecological resources or contributing to habitat fragmentation. The data may also be used to design urban greenways and trails that tie into the larger ecological hub and corridor system. This not only provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, it helps maintain the health and vitality of the local watershed and surrounding habitats. For additional information on cities you can link to the census bureau at Site1.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # or Brownfield)
USFS_Ecoregions
Ecological Unites of the Eastern United States - First Approximation USDA Forest Service 1995. This data represents the USDA Forest Service classification of regional land types. Query on the data layer for more information about each ecoregion or visit Site1 for more information on other ecoregion designations.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.463 or Water Quality)
Land_Value
This data set provides the average estimated market value of an acre of land at a county level. The data was obtained from the 1992 Department of Agriculture Census and provides some insight to the economic tradeoffs from agriculture and or development land use changes. This information can help support a county or municipal planner's decision making within the context of economic issues. If you would like to compare Agriculture Census statistics for a specific county in 1997 you can go to Site1 and select the state, region and then county that you are interested in to review the county statistics.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 16.633 or Fish/ Wildlife)
Property_Taxes
This data set provides the total of farmland Property Taxes Paid in $1,000s within the selected county. The data was obtained from the 1992 Department of Agriculture Census and provides some insight to the economic tradeoffs from agricultural/development land use changes within a county for local planners in making land use decisions. For additional information on Agricultural Land Tax options please view the following information from American Farmland Trust at Site1. If you would like to compare Agriculture Census statistics from 1997 for a specific county you can go to Site2 and select the state, region and then county that you are interested in to review the county statistics. Information on potential innovative tax strategies that support greenspace protection or agricultural land protection can be found at EPA's Environmental Finance Center located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Funding Information
CRP_WRP
This data set is the total amount of federal dollars spent in a county for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The data was obtained from the 1992 Department of Agriculture Census. This information can be used for comparison with neighboring counties. Unfortunately, the specific lands that are currently under the 15 or 30 year program are not freely available for analysis. You can contact your local Extension Agent to see if this information can be provided to your organization. For more information on conservation programs available from the Natural Resource Conservation Service you can connect to Site1 to get the latest program guidance. If you would like to compare agriculture Census data from 1997 for specific counties you can go to and select the state, region and then county of interest to review the county statistics.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Funding Information (search by # 10.902 or Soil and Water Conservation)
Fertilized_Acres
This data set provides the total acres of land fertilized in each county. The data was obtained from the 1992 US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Census of Agriculture for the U.S. To compare agriculture Census statistics from 1997 go to Site1 then select the state, region and county you would like to review.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.034 or Clean Air Act )
Irrigated_Acres
This data set provides the total acres of irrigated land per county. The data was obtained from the 1992 US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Census of Agriculture for the U.S. To access the 1997 data for you county go to Site1 then select the state, region and county you would like to review.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 10.763 or emergency community water)
Ag_Sold
This data set provides the total of All Agricultural Products Sold in $1,000s per county. The data was obtained from the 1992 Department of Agriculture Census and provides some agricultural economic information for local planners in making land use decisions. The Natural Resource Inventory has been completed for 1997 and the GIS maps can be viewed by selecting the individual maps at Site1. The 1997 Department of Agriculture Census is also currently available for purchase and 2002 will be the next release of the information. Many of the 1997 Census data is summarized by zip code and can be down loaded from Site2. If you would like to review agriculture Census statistics from 1997 you can go to Site3 and select the state, region and then county that you are interested in to review county agricultural statistics.
Reference 1 , Reference 2 , Reference 3 , Funding Information (search by # 10.073 or Crop Disaster Program )
Crops_Sold
This data set provides the total of all crop products sold in $1,000s per county. The data was obtained from the 1992 US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Census of Agriculture for the U.S. and provides information that can be used to determine the importance of crop sales to a county's economy. Just as with the Agricultural Products Sold data set, the Crops Sold data set is an important factor when looking at the conversion of agriculture land into to residential and commercial development. Not only can development lead to a loss of greenspace, it can alter the county's economic base and increase costs for infrastructure, schools, public safety, and other amenities. To compare agriculture Census statistics from 1997 you can go to Site1 then select the state, region and county you would like to review.
Reference 1 , : http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/php/agri/area.php
Funding Information (search by # 10.913 or Farm Protection)
Livestock_Sold
This data set provides the total Livestock and Poultry Products sold in $1,000s per county. The data was obtained from the 1992 US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Census of Agriculture for the U.S. and provides information that can be used to determine the importance of livestock sales to a county's economy. Just as with the Agricultural Products Sold and Crops Sold data sets, the Livestock Sold data set is an important factor when looking at the conversion of agriculture land into to residential and commercial development. Not only can development lead to a loss of greenspace, it can alter the county's economic base and increase costs for infrastructure, schools, public safety, and other amenities. To review Agriculture Census statistics go to Site1 then select the state, region and county you would like to review.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 10.066 or Livestock)
Land_Cover
The land cover data set shows the different types of land cover within the mapped area. Land cover types vary widely and include everything from residential areas to grasslands to forests to pasture lands. This data provides you with an overview of where each land cover type is located within a watershed or county. The data also allows you to see where land uses, such as residential, are encroaching on other land types (i.e. agricultural lands). The information is obtained from the National Land Cover Data developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For more information on the NLCD visit Site1.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.463 or Water Quality)
SEF_Detail
Identifies the hubs and connectivity of the SEF along with other areas outside the SEF designated as Priority Ecological Areas (PEA) and Significant Ecological Areas (SEA). Areas outside of the SEF that provide ecological services are displayed because of the value in connecting localized priorities within the context of the larger ecological picture. While the Hubs and Connectivity components are the backbone of the SEF, the PEA/SEA data provides the opportunity to integrate these areas into a community's overall design of greenspace protection. Visit Site1 for more information on the development of the Priority Ecological Areas, Significant Ecological Areas, and overall modeling process of the SEF.
Reference 1 , Funding Information (search by # 66.419 or Water Pollution)
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