Date of Award:

5-1956

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Sociology and Anthropology

Department name when degree awarded

Sociology

Committee Chair(s)

William A. DeHart

Committee

William A. DeHart

Committee

Joseph A. Geddes

Abstract

Practices of land use in Utah show need for community action aimed at more adequate utilization of land and water resources. Use of land for crop production in Utah is limited by topography, soil type, elevation, climate, and moisture (26, p.3). Because of limitations imposed, only a small portion of the land area may be used for cultivated farming. As a rule, large land holdings in Utah are not regularly tilled but are used as range for raising livestock.

Farm cropland may be separated into two general classes: irrigated and dry-land. In general, the cropland of most farms is entirely one class; however, some farms are a mixture of the two. The majority of farms in Utah (87.5 percent in 1950 /29/) have some irrigated land. Dry-land crop production is limited to areas of the state where soil conditions and natural moisture are compatible with cultivation.

The predominance of small farms in Utah is well known. The U. S. Census of Agriculture reported that in 1945 the average farm harvested 47.4 acres (28). This includes dry-land as well as irrigated farms. According to the agricultural census of 1950, farms which had some irrigated land averaged 41.5 acres of cropland harvested; and 59.3 acres were harvested on the average dry-land farm in 1949 (29).

Many farms in Utah are composed of scattered segments of land often separated by a mile or more. This fragmentation of holdings, as it is called, contributes to the difficulty of making farms economically successful. It inhibits full use of such practices as land leveling, crop rotation, and pest control. Machinery must be moved from piece to piece, and much time is lost in unproductive work. Water, so important to production, is lost through excessive conveyance as each farmer irrigates his fragmented holdings.

More is known about what constitutes proper practices in the utilization of physical resources than has been applied. Farmers are as interested in achieving success as other factions of society. They cultivate their land according to what they think are the best practices available to them. Often, however, farmers ignore problems that require mass approval and mass action. Lowering of group living standards is one result of ineffective management of physical and human resources. The future prosperity of farmers is dependent upon the realistic application of action in accordance with social and technological science.

Utah farmers may or may not be cognizant of the economic disadvantage of land fragmentation. If farmers of this area are aware of the economic disadvantage land fragmentation imposes and yet are doing nothing about it, social determinants of land and water utilization supercede the advantages of consolidating holdings.

Social and economic security is a goal for the entire society, the farm element included. This goal can be reached through organization and direction of productive forces (12, p. 815). Farmers, who are subject to cooperative action for economic success, cannot rely on laissez-faire methods to provide a satisfactory life (14). Social goals attainable through community action would contribute markedly to the future prosperity of individual farmers.

The presence or lack of community action is reflected in economic institutions as well as in the social and cultural life of a community. Land fragmentation and water utilization present common problems which individuals are unable to satisfy by themselves. Group action is required.

This study was undertaken because it was recognized that land fragmentation and associated problems are common in Utah. Specifically, the Iron County Agricultural Agent recognized that in Paragonah the problem is extensive. He requested this study be made as an aid in attaining more effective utilization of land and water resources in that area.

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