• From 1982 to 1992, the U.S. lost 1.4 million acres per year to development.  From 1992 to 1997, the U.S. lost 2.2 million acres per year to development. 

• Each year, an area of farmland the size of Delaware is paved over- that’s a rate of 2.3 acres of farmland lost every minute of every day!

• Today, 86% of U.S. fruits and vegetables and 63% of our dairy products are grown in urban-influenced areas.

• Wisconsin lost a third of its farmland between 1950 and 1990 to sprawl.

• Wisconsin is third in the nation for having most threatened agriculture land.

• As of 1998, only 29% of Wisconsin’s communities had any land use plan in place.

Ten Myths and Facts About Wisconsin's "Smart Growth" Law

Over the last 12 months, Wisconsin's comprehensive planning law has received significant criticism, especially in the central and northern parts of the state. Critics claim that Smart Growth will destroy private property rights and local control. Others have maintained that Smart Growth was developed by the United Nations or that it represents a "one size fits all" approach to planning.

To address these claims and provide accurate information about the law, the Wisconsin Realtor's Association has compiled a list of the ten most common myths and related facts about Smart Growth. Click here to read this list!