ABSTRACT
As the expanding world population has become more urban, how the land is used and concerns for future food security have become political issues which are influencing approaches to agriculture and land uses worldwide. For example the perceived need for larger numbers of animals on a farm, in order to be economical, is influencing changes in the way animal husbandry is done. This has led to larger and larger farms in rural areas with fewer people farming. The population shift has put a great deal of strain on small rural towns in figuring out how to survive. In contrast, small specialty farms, focusing on fresh food, have developed near large cities as a lifestyle of choice. These farmers, utilizing sustainable principles, provide food to urban populations. This movement, called communitysupported agriculture (CSA), is in keeping with the tradition of small vegetable farms adjacent to an urban area. This is being reestablished as a way for urban people to contract with CSA farmers to obtain fresh food. Community gardens are also being established on vacant public lands in existing urban neighborhoods as part of this movement for fresh food.
