This report seeks to summarize the major changes in land use for New York State during the 20th century as owners and operators of commercial farms have ceased to be the primary users of natural resources in the state. Over the years, more and more of the land base has left farming because it could not compete effectively with other uses. This report will look carefully at the changes which have occurred both for the state as a whole and in individual counties, based primarily on data from the Census of Agriculture.