MEASURING PUBLIC PREFERENCES FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL AMENITIES PROVIDEDBY FARMLAND

As farmland amenities have become relatively more scarce than food and fibre in developed countries, public concern has shifted away from in creasing agricultural production, towards protecting rural environment al quality. Choosing appropriate policies requires accurate informatio n describing public preferences for different amenities. This paper us es qualitative information provided by focus groups and survey data fr om a sample of Rhode Island (USA) residents, to identify and compare s ocially valued environmental amenities associated with farmland and op en space. Public preferences for preserving farmland compare favourabl y with preferences for preserving other types of open space. Lands tha t include endangered species habitats and important groundwater resour ces are preferred.