This paper uses an analytical and econometric approach, and new GIS data, to analyze the farmland conversion process, including the effects of the agricultural-urban edge, farm returns, real estate markets, population growth, and development restrictions.
See PDF article here: Modeling Farmland Conversion with New GIS Data by Nicolai V. Kuminoff and Daniel A. Sumner
See slides from presentation here: Modeling Farmland Conversion with New GIS Data by Nicolai V. Kuminoff at the annual meetings of the American Association of Agricultural Economists, Chicago, August 7, 2001.