Research Paper on:
A Geographical Inquiry into the Environmental Impacts of Losing Farmland in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
I. Introduction When embarking on a geographic study, it is important to look at political  and physical boundaries as well as natural phenomena that are peculiar to the area. In focusing on Chester County in Pennsylvania, one sees a rather rural community, but there is  concern about the changing landscape. There is fear of losing farmlands, which is something that has affected the entire state to some extent.  In general, urban sprawl and a lack of urban planning have rendered the cities of Pennsylvania in poor shape. Urban poverty rates are twice as high as those of suburbia,  and the implementation of welfare reform is a special problem (Katz, 2000). Although welfare caseloads have dissipated somewhat in many cities, they are not shrinking very quickly (2000). In Philadelphia  County, for instance, 12% (2000, p. 66) of Pennsylvanians live there, but comprise 48% of all Pennsylvanians on welfare (2000). The urban population is disproportionately poor.  Farm preservation coupled with big-city concerns are important (Katz & Bernstein, 1998). In Pennsylvania, advocates for reform contend that the states heritage of small towns  and cities, are threatened by unsustainable growth (1998). In other words, Pennsylvania was once a sustainable entity as it had its own resources. As cities emerged, these were unable to  produce raw materials that could only be grown in rural regions. Without farm preservation, sustainability goes out the window. The environmental impacts of  losing farmland in Chester County, Pennsylvania is a particular concern. Chester County is hidden in close proximity to areas such as Philadelphia, Washington, DC and even New York City