from 1997 to 2012 about 590,000 acres was lost from the agricultural land base in the 25 highest rate counties.  This information was developed by the Texas Agricultural Land Trust & check their website TEXAS LAND TRENDS to get more details.  The institute says the goal is to provide public & private decision-makers with information needed to plan for the conservation of Texas farms, ranches & forests.  This according to Todd Snelgrove, associate director of the institute.  WORTHY TO NOTE CONSERVATION IN EAST TEXAS, which has the rain, forests and fields.