No description available.

No description available.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of the Kane County farmland protection program. The study was based on interviews and surveys of community college officials and public opinion in three different areas: country, mixed, and city areas. The study findings revealed a positive impact of the program.

No description available.

No description available.

Farmland, Indiana, located approximately twenty (20) miles east of Muncie, has been successfully engaged in a revitalization effort since the early 1990s. Although several significant historic buildings have been adaptively reused, others, including the Opera House, are only partially occupied. The continuation of future redevelopment efforts rests on whether these buildings can be preserved and adaptively reused in a manner that supports the revitalization goals the town has established and in which they are committed.The structure was constructed in 1889 and owned by P.M. Bly. Bly and John H. Thornburg, owned a drugstore together in the north retail space on the first floor and the south retail space was rented out to other businesses. Presently the first floor of the Opera House, which was constructed in 1889, is occupied by a Pizza King, which has been there for since the early 1990s. The second floor, which was originally used as an opera house, has been sitting vacant for over twenty years.This creative project documents the current condition of the building and proposes two options of adaptive reuse for the building owner to consider. The format and content of this project was modeled after adaptive reuse studies by two Indianapolis, Indiana architecture firms. Also, a synopsis of several interviews the author had with professionals who deal with the adaptive reuse of historic buildings is included. Architects, contractors, historic preservationists, and a market analyst were among those interviewed and their views afford the reader an insight into current attitudes among professionals involved in historic preservation and adaptive reuse.The project portion of this proposal includes: a brief history of the building; a conditions assessment through photographs and written text; existing floor plans and elevations; a synopsis of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility evaluation; and preservation and adaptive reuse recommendations. In addition, two schemes, or concepts, of adaptive reuse are included, with each containing: floor plans and elevations; a preliminary cost estimate and pro forma; and a summary of historic tax credits and grant programs that are applicable. Furthermore, the option which is most desirable for the historic context of the building and the future economic development of Farmland has been developed through design with an interior design package, which includes a furniture plan, furniture options, and a color scheme.This project is primarily an academic exercise intended to help the author learn the process of preparing a comprehensive adaptive reuse proposal. However, this project was also chosen with the hopes of inspiring the current building owner to develop the property by providing a substantial amount of objective and professional quality information and documentation. Thus, the format developed is that which a professional design firm would use, as opposed to an academic format. Through dissemination of this project to local leaders of preservation and redevelopment efforts, it is also hoped that it will aid in garnering public support to preserve and reuse. / Department of Architecture

This study examines the risk and returns to owning United States farmland. State, regional, and national farmland returns from 1998 to 2018 are analyzed via the capital asset pricing model. Results show that farmland may be an effective route of investment portfolio diversification due to its favorable returns and low correlation with other commonly held assets. This study’s findings are generally consistent with similar research conducted in the past.

During the production of agricultural commodities, an agricultural landscape is simultaneously being produced. In many regions, agriculture is no longer valued for just the production of food and fibre but also for the social, cultural and environmental amenities associated with the landscape. The paradigm of multifunctional agriculture has become concerned with the joint production of agricultural products and these rural amenities. The loss of agricultural land especially in areas around the urban-rural fringe has greatly affected the demand for these rural amenities. In response, governments and volunteer organizations have developed programs to preserve farmland. The Niagara Region is home to some of the best fruit growing land in Canada but has a long history of fighting to maintain its farmland. Drawing from the multifunctional paradigm, this study analyzes the preference for different rural amenities and farmland preservation in this unique region. Survey and interviews conducted with both the non-farm population and farmers indicated that demand exists for maintaining rural amenities and for farmland preservation. Consideration of these preferences will enhance the development of farmland preservation in the Niagara Fruit Belt.

During the production of agricultural commodities, an agricultural landscape is simultaneously being produced. In many regions, agriculture is no longer valued for just the production of food and fibre but also for the social, cultural and environmental amenities associated with the landscape. The paradigm of multifunctional agriculture has become concerned with the joint production of agricultural products and these rural amenities. The loss of agricultural land especially in areas around the urban-rural fringe has greatly affected the demand for these rural amenities. In response, governments and volunteer organizations have developed programs to preserve farmland. The Niagara Region is home to some of the best fruit growing land in Canada but has a long history of fighting to maintain its farmland. Drawing from the multifunctional paradigm, this study analyzes the preference for different rural amenities and farmland preservation in this unique region. Survey and interviews conducted with both the non-farm population and farmers indicated that demand exists for maintaining rural amenities and for farmland preservation. Consideration of these preferences will enhance the development of farmland preservation in the Niagara Fruit Belt.

No description available.