Identifying and Analyzing the Spatial Relationships Between Odor From Feedlots and Residential Dwellings

Agricultural and the rural landscape have undergone significant and wide-ranging changes in demographics, economics, land uses, and spatial land use relationships. This section explores a methodology to examine the spatial relationship, and resulting potential for conflict, of two changes in particular: • consolidation of animal agricultural facilities into larger operating units as a response to the economies of scale • the increasing number of non-farm rural residents drawn to the countryside for a variety of demographic and economic reasons. This section examines integrating the OFFSET model into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology as a methodology to explore the spatial relationship between these two changes. The intent of the methodology is to develop a useful tool for rural land use planners to assess the relationship and support the creation of appropriate policy and ordinances.