for example …..

• bottom-up trends to protect and retain rural land uses and related heritage;
• health benefits and poverty alleviation through small farm enabling programs;
• retirement of farmers with limited new farmers;
• rising awareness around food security;
• concern with food, water and soil quality;
• increasing preference for local and organic food production and purchasing;
• rural population reduction and related growth in urban areas; and
• urban sprawl overtaking peri-rural areas.