Using Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) for Farmland Protection Planning: A Case Study

The Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) system was used in developing a farmland protection plan that identified and described land use variables and agricultural operations associated with development. Using automated property tax data, a baseline model was established that identified field crops, vacant lands, truck cropland, and population as variables positively associated with development, whereas fruit crops had a negative association. Variables associated with development were lowest in profit per acre, whereas fruit crops were higher in profit. LESA and the model provided an objective and innovative approach to identify and recommend agricultural lands for farmland protection planning and implementation efforts.