{"id":1498,"date":"2025-02-10T20:24:41","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T20:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/shi-institute\/?p=1498"},"modified":"2026-04-07T13:25:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:25:22","slug":"how-can-we-protect-south-carolinas-farmland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/shi-institute\/how-can-we-protect-south-carolinas-farmland\/","title":{"rendered":"How can we protect South Carolina’s farmland?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rural farmland across South Carolina faces mounting market pressures as urban expansion and demand for housing encroach on agricultural communities. To address these challenges, our research team developed a mapping tool to help stakeholders identify areas most at risk of development and displacement. By empowering communities with data and actionable insights, we aim to preserve farmland and sustain rural livelihoods for future generations. Read more about our findings and solutions.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Empowering Communities to Protect South Carolina’s Farmland<\/em><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Protecting Rural Farmland Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Farms are essential for producing locally sourced food, which supports sustainable practices, strengthens local economies, and ensures access to fresh, nutritious food. Across South Carolina, rural farmland faces increasing market pressure due to the expansion of housing subdivisions, distribution centers, and warehouses along major transportation corridors as urban growth encroaches on rural areas, driving up property values. These pressures, compounded by the growing trend of higher-income remote workers seeking areas with natural amenities like state parks and lakes, act as a draw to rural areas and disrupt the agricultural heritage of communities, force families to sell generational farmland, and threaten food security. There are, however, actionable steps we can take to preserve farmland and support rural communities.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Work<\/strong><\/p>\n

In collaboration with Furman sociologist Ken Kolb<\/a>, the Shi Institute Applied Research Team adapted an urban gentrification model to identify and analyze market pressures on rural farmland. We developed a GIS-based tool<\/a> that helps practitioners assess changes in rural housing markets over time, providing valuable insights into areas most at risk of displacement and development.<\/p>\n

Access our mapping tool here!<\/a><\/h3>\n

Findings<\/strong><\/p>\n

The map uncovers patterns of rural gentrification where housing values rise disproportionately to local incomes.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Map showing areas where development pressure in rural areas is likely occurring. Dark red areas indicate a divergence of housing prices and income of greater than 30%. Green areas show parks and other natural amenities. The map tool allows users to explore changes over time and click on areas for further details and graphs.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

The tool<\/a> enables users to:<\/p>\n