The Disappearing Farmland of Appalachia—and Why Small-Scale Farming Matters
A growing crisis is sweeping across Appalachia: farmland is vanishing. A recent article from Appalachian Memories (“Farmland Disappearing in Appalachia as Subdivisions Take Over”) highlights the staggering loss of farmland in East Tennessee—over a million acres gone in just a few decades. Since 2017, the pace has only accelerated, with nearly 86,000 acres disappearing each year. As developers offer landowners high-dollar deals and property taxes rise, many family farms are being replaced by subdivisions with names that ironically reference the landscapes they’ve erased.
This loss isn’t just about land—it’s about food security, agricultural heritage, and the independence that farming provides. When local farms disappear, food production shifts farther away, and communities become more dependent on outside sources. Prices go up, food quality declines, and small farmers struggle to compete.
The Power of Small-Scale Farming
While large farms are being lost to development, small, intensive farms offer a path forward. At Carlton Hill Farm, we operate on just one acre. That might seem small, but with the right approach, a single acre can produce an incredible amount of food.
Here’s why small-acre farming is a practical, sustainable solution:
Efficiency Over Expansion – Small farms can maximize production through intensive growing techniques, strategic livestock management, and careful land stewardship.
Lower Costs, Greater Sustainability – Unlike large farms that require expensive equipment and massive inputs, small farms operate with lower overhead, making them more financially sustainable.
Strengthening Local Food Security – As noted in the Appalachian Memories article, losing farmland forces communities to rely on food trucked in from hundreds of miles away. Small farms help close that gap by keeping fresh, high-quality food available locally.
A Personal Connection to Food – Small farms bring people together. Farmers' markets, farm box subscriptions, and direct sales to restaurants create strong ties between farmers and their communities.
A Future for Young Farmers – One of the biggest challenges Appalachia faces is fewer young people entering farming. Small-scale farming offers a more accessible, lower-risk entry point for those who want to work the land without needing hundreds of acres.
Every Acre Counts
The loss of farmland across Appalachia is a real and growing problem, but that doesn’t mean farming has to disappear with it. While large tracts of farmland may be lost to development, small, independent farms like ours can still thrive—providing food, stability, and a connection to the land.
If we want to keep Appalachian agriculture alive, we need to support the farms that remain. That means choosing local food, investing in small farms, and recognizing that you don’t need hundreds of acres to make a difference.
At Carlton Hill Farm, we’re proving that every acre counts. If you’re interested in supporting small-scale farming and local food, check out what we offer at Carlton Hill Farm—because farming isn’t just about land. It’s about community.