Farming versus Development: A Community in Conflict

This chapter explores the tensions within a rural farming community in Coffey County as residents grapple with the implications of new housing developments on their agricultural way of life. Concerns about road safety, farmland preservation, and differing perspectives on land ownership create a divide between traditional farming values and the push for economic growth. Through community dialogue and statistics on farmland loss, the chapter highlights the urgent need for policies that balance development with the preservation of agricultural heritage.