As people move farther and farther beyond the urban center, an obvious result is the loss of farmland and open space. From 1969 to 2000, Erie and Niagara Counties lost 28% of farmland. The New York State Statistical Yearbook stopped tracking this trend in 2000, but there is evidence, as you can see at the bottom of this slide, that the trend continues. There are important consequences to this that go beyond simply losing beautiful scenery. Agriculture is an important part of the region's economy, ensuring the availability of locally grown produce as well as preserving rural ways of life.