Farmland measures the change in agricultural land from 2016–2019 in southeast Michigan. Farmland loss is widespread in the US (American Farmland Trust) and threatens our ability to sustain ourselves and can be damaging to a community’s economy and culture.
How is it scored?
The percent change in land classified as agricultural from 2016 to 2019 was calculated for each watershed. Percent change was converted to the report card scale using the equation, y = 20x +50, with a loss of 2.5% scored a 0 and a gain of 2.5% scored a 100. Scores were capped at 0 or 100. Watershed scores were area-weighted to calculate an overall region score.
Data source: MRLC NLCD EVA Tool (https://www.mrlc.gov/eva/).