Zoning laws are one way to implement land development goals. Remember, zoning laws determine how each piece of land in a community can be used.
Farmers in Knox County are currently facing land development decisions. Farmers everywhere will have to deal with development in the future if they have not already.
Here, they discuss what they think about expanding development:
 Photo by Rachel Balkcom | "Well, this is something we discuss at the kitchen table a lot. And I think my wife and I disagree about this problem. I mean I agree people have got to have a place to live, and you can't very well say, 'I like to live in the country and that's why I'm living here,' and then turn around and say, 'But you can't live here, I'm not partin' with any of my ground.' I think people need to be able to move out and to live at least some semblance of the way that we farmers live." Bruce Rickard, Knox County |
Columbus is the state capital of Ohio. It is just an hour's drive southwest from Knox County. The northeast growth of this city is affecting farmers throughout Knox County:
"The biggest thing about urban sprawl is that there will be a lot less land for farming." Rita Dudgeon, Gambier As Bruce discussed above, more people are moving out into rural communities like those in Knox County. Many of the new houses and housing developments use land that was previously farm ground. |
 Photo by Mona Abdallah |
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In 1970, 41,795 people lived in Knox County. In 1990, Knox County grew to 47,473 people. In 1994, it was estimated that 50,002 people lived in Knox County. Source: Office of Strategic Research, ODOD |
