The Modesto Bee yesterday ran a story about the steady yield growth of Stanislaus County agricultural crops over the past 100-plus years.

These increasing yields, wrote reporter John Holland, have enabled farmers to help feed a growing world population and allowed the vast majority of U.S. residents to live in cities and suburbs.

"Efficient farming also has kept food fairly affordable, meaning that consumers have extra money to spend on housing, clothing and other purchases that drive the economy," the story said.

Holland also listed "pitfalls" of the county's high yielding agricultural land:

• High...