r SLocal By FRED FIEBER Rows of corn replaced with rows of houses? It's possible that Washtenaw Oounty's farmland could be Cifified by the year 2012 if present trends continue, cording to a County study. According to the 1974 U.S. IDepartment of Agriculture census, and g~ill Ames, agricuitural agent with the Nashtenaw Cooperative Extension Service, this areas is composed of 1,327 farms taht include about 226,000 acres-half Ithe county's land. Ames said that the farms are about evenly divided between dairy products, gvestock and crops. The average farm ize is 170 acres. "Several factors are causing loss of farmland in the county," said Ken ' udwig, agricultural assistant for Washtenaw County. "Part of it is a reflection of post World War II phenomena; highway construction, commercial endeavors, and subdivision." "THERE IS ALSO speculative pressure from people in city zones anticipating growth. Called napfrogging, Washtenaw County is feeling this effect from both Detroit and The Michigan Daily-Friday, March 14, 1980-Page 3 farms gone by 2012? THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM 1980/81 PROGRAM'S FOR AMERICAN STUDENTS Ann Arbor," he said. Ludwig won't classify the trend as good or bad, but says he feels it important for people to live up to their standards. S"We need farmland as a visual space. It's the psychological appeal. I would like to see people able to live together in existing cities and suburbs, utilizing improvements already there, and leave open spaces for farms," he said. Tom Bloomer, a county farmer who owns 1,060 acres, feels the trend is bad. "It's not that I object to people living in the country. I just think we need a little more forethought and planning. We have county land bad for farming that would be appropriate to build on, though it is easier to build on farmland." "MUCH OF IT seems like such a waste," Bloomer continued. "I have neighbors here who commute to work in Dearborn every day. I don't see how they can afford the gas." "City people often come-to the country to search for neighbors," Ludwig said. "I guess it's some sort of romantic myth." According to Ludwig, county farms produce goods worth about $40 million a year, approximately one-tenth of what the University generates. "Our production may not be huge, but we have a nice blend of rural and urban life here. People are attracted to this, but it's this.attraction that's causing farms to disappear," he said. Ludwig also said that land, which he calls a resource, is being treated as a commodity. "Farmers are being outbid by companies for land. Farm equipment costs are enormous. It's these high barriers that are preventing prospective farmers from coming here. " "We need to think about land in terms of milinnia, not just the next twenty minutes," Ludwig said. "I know one farmer who's made plans for his farm for the next 100 years." On March 1, disappearance of county farmland was discussed by approximately 125 people, mostly farmers, at the Washtenaw Agricultural Lands Conference at Saline High School. "These people showed genuine concern for their community," said Ludwig. "They wanted to know what they could do to help the farm community here." The Washtenaw Cooperative Extension Service is now compiling a report of the conference. "When we finish it, we'll send the first copy to President Carter. We think it's important for him to know what's going on here and how we feel about the country," Ludwig said. E ONE YEAR PROGRAM-for college sophomores and juniors! Q REGULAR STUDIES-for college transfer students toward B.A. and B.Sc. degrees. PLEASE CHECK DESIRE Q GRADUATE STUDIES-Master's, Doctoral and Visiting Graduate programs. Q SUMMER COURSES- given in English. D PROGRAM a For Application and Information, write: 45 Office of Academic Affairs American Friends of the Hebrew University 1140 Avenueof the Americas, New York, NY 10036 (212) 840-5820 Name Are t CiyState/Zip 4. ~" - I 1-j No prosecution of 5 gridders planned celebration recalls Fletcher prohibition raid By MAURA CARRY Fletcher Hall has stood quietly among other homes on Sybil Street for more than half a century, but few students know where or what it is. The all-male dormitory across from the In- tramural Building held an anniversary celebration last night, in hopes of in- creasing the University community's awareness of its existence. The celebration, attended by Univer- city President Harold Shapiro, his wife ivian, and several housing ad- inistrators, commemorated the day, 50 years ago, that Fletcher Hall was raided by the Ann Arbor police for dlistributing illegal liquor during prohibition. "That was the first time Fletcher had any recognition," said Resident Direc- tor Michael Rupert in an after-dinner speech. TODAY THE staff and the residents 4are trying to get recognition for Flet- her again. "We had a bad reputation four or five years ago but this year (Fletcher has) become known as a respectable place," said Robert Gazall, ,president of the hall. r Fletcher is different from most other diorms. It is the only all-male dorm on campus, and one of the few that attrac- ts primarily upperclassmen - about 70 per cent are juniors and seniors this ,year. Rupert explained that Fletcher's location is quiet and makes studying *asier. SJunior Tom Smith has lived in Flet- ' i'... ; . :_ .''.". .....*..."..:.i:: rv~i