Conclusions

Home Methods Interview History of the site Relevant Literature Analysis Work Cited

Through my research I was able to trace the ownership history of a piece of land in the Cannon River Watershed.  I chose this site not only since it was in the Cannon River watershed, but because I have a personal connection to it since I am renting a house on it for the semester.  By interviewing one of the current owners I was able to get some questions I had answered and also get a personal perspective on the land.  I was able to find out that it was farmed from 1875 until the 1970's when the current owners Jonathan and Barbara Hill bought it.  It is now part of a residential area.  Because it was altered from farmland to residential property I reviewed literature on the topic and found out that this is not at all a occurrence found only in this case or area.  The phenomenon of people moving away from the centers of the cities to the more rural outskirts of the city is by no means a recent development.  It has been occurring for the past few decades.  Also the shift is not unique to this region.  For example, articles I discussed in my literature review focus on California which is across the country, Canada which is a different country, and even africa which is an entirely different continent.  The effects of the urban sprawl invading farming areas has for the most part had a negative effect on farmers according to my review of literature.  The farm land is being used up by developments (a major problem in the breadbasket of California) and pollution from the new roads built for the residents of the developments are detrimental to the crops.  Residential areas can even stop farmers from using their land, as with the potato farmer at Battle Lake (Erickson, 2001).  One article did however illustrated that in Canada the farms along the edge of urban areas are more likely to be innovative (organic, ect..), which can be interpreted as a good thing (Beauchesne, 1998).  But for the most part my review of literature indicates that  farmers all over the world are being detrimentally impacted by the spread of urban sprawl onto productive farm land.           Through this project one will be able gain a stronger sense of place for the Cannon River Area.  Their sense of place will be enhanced after getting a better understanding of the historical development of the piece of land I researched.  They will not only be able to understand how its use and change in use may have impacted Northfield, but also how this piece of land has a similar history to other parts of Northfield and the world for that matter.  By better understanding and learning about the history of a place I feel one feel more connected to it.  It holds a more special place in one's heart and gives one a greater sense of place in the area.  With this heightened sense of place people may become more conscious of their impacts on it.  Therefore, if everyone felt more of a connection to Northfield they would care more about the environmental problems that exist within the city and work to help prevent them.  I recommend that everyone traces the history of the land on which their home is built.  Just by knowing the names of previous owners, times they occupied the land, and way they used it one will certainly feel a greater connection to their home and enhance their sense of place.