Ag Social Impact Analysis
Recent studies by Iowa State University rural sociologists suggest large-scale farms have a definite positive impact on rural Iowa communities.
“…Incomes rose, poverty rates declined, crime rates declined, infant mortality declined, unemployment declined and gaps between rich and poor closed in association with increased in the scale of agriculture in their counties. Participation in clubs and organizations and citizens’ ratings of neighborliness also tended to increase with increases in the scale of agriculture and commercial hog production in the county.” —Steve Sapp, professor of sociology, Iowa State University
“Our findings suggest there is a modest favorable effect of large-scale agriculture on quality of life in the 99 Iowa communities we studied,” says Dr. Steve Sapp, professor of sociology. “It’s not especially surprising, given the close relationship between Iowa’s rural communities and agriculture.”