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31 <br />On -Site Investment <br />The investment in real property improvements, such as barns <br />and silos, is an indicator of the long -term expectations of farm <br />operators; e.g., that there is a commitment to farming a specific <br />property. A high level of such investments in farm facilities would <br />indicate that owners anticipate farming for many years. A status <br />quo level might suggest uncertainty, and a diminishing level of <br />investment might suggest land conversion. <br />e <br />e <br />m <br />e <br />a <br />Figure 2 <br />FARM VALUE, SIZE, AND NUMBER <br />Percent Change, 1982 -1987 <br />1 -49 50 -178 1bu-a v Ovv -aaa •�_.. <br />Farm size in acres <br />M Farm Value ($) Acres in Farms ® Number of Farms <br />In terms of general trends, Figure 2 illustrates the change in <br />farm value between 1982 and 1987. For small farms (1 -49 acres), the <br />acreage increased significantly. However, an equally significant <br />decline in the number of small farms occurred. The net effect was <br />little change -in value of land and buildings. <br />At the.:_6- pposite end of the spectrum, large farms of 1,000 or <br />more acres not only increased in acreage and number but in the <br />value of land and buildings. For the intervening categories, both <br />the acreage and number of farms declined. In contrast, the general <br />trend was for land and building value to increase as farm size <br />increased. <br />One means of determining the nature and level of investment <br />taking place is by reviewing appraisals made for tax purposes from <br />one revaluation period to another. Farm buildings and related <br />structures, exclusive of dwellings other than those for employees, <br />are normally built or improved or added to in successful farm <br />