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By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON
Rappahannock Nnw Staff Writer
In the 1980 session, the Virginia General Assembly will be asked for enabling legislation to allow localities to institute pilot land use programs, including the transfer, sale or lease of development right* and moce innovative approaches currently in effect in other states.
This proposal and others were announced by Dr. Berkwood Farmer, chief economist and director of planning and development for the Virginia Department of Agriculture, at a conference on preserving rural land uses last week in Fredericksburg.
Farmer said the proposals arose out of a survey of 1,600 farmers conducted recently by the Virginia Agricultural Opportunities Commission.
The farmers cited the most important reasons for agricultural land being shifted from farming as:
—Low financial returns to farming,
—Purchase of farmland for non-agricultural uses,
—High real estate taxes,
—Lack of young persons entering farming.
In addition, farmers from areas experiencing rapid growth rates expressed concern over the encroachment of urban development on acres traditionally devoted to agriculture.
The 1,600 Virginia farmers
90.4%