Potential Cropland: The Ownership Factor

At least 43 percent of the 127 million acres of U.S. land with high or medium potential for cropland is held by landowners whose characteristics may inhibit cropland development. Owners of potential cropland tend to have smaller holdings, lower net farm incomes, and less active involvement in agriculture than current cropland owners. About 20 percent of the potential cropland lies in small or fragmented holdings or faces competition from urbanization or nonagricultural uses. Another 23 percent is owned by those with short planning horizons and capital problems