Farmland lost is land lost forever...

Within just five years ( 2002 and 2005) Virginia lost over 500 000 acres of agricultural land to shopping malls and new residential and commercial developments. For many older farmers who face financial hardships dividing and selling parcels of their farms sounds like the only viable option. But is it?
First of all, residential growth looks like a winning lottery ticket to local government but in reality it is a burden on existing taxpayers. For every dollar in new taxes, new residents consume $1.10 or more in new services: extra police, roads, schools, emergency response and infrastructure. Farmers on the other hand use only about 30 cents for every dollar they contribute. How long can the municipality sustain its operation using the "growth model"? It is almost like the Ponzi scheme, where in order for you to survive you have to solicit new funds untill the whole system collapses.
Many individual owners claim that they have the "right to do whatever they want with their land". I am for protecting rights to private property, but not at the expense of someone else. I have a freedom to travel but last time I checked the trips weren't free. It is not right to realise gain on land division/sale and let the rest of residents pay for this with their increased taxes for services needed for that very growth.
Many states came out with tax credits for folks who choose to preserve their land under agricultural or historical easements. These tax credits could be sold or deferred if needed. Another interesting fact is that price per acre of land in an area that has significant percentage of preserved land is higher than in growth (residential) areas. People are willing to pay extra for living in a district that will be protected from sprawl.
So what is the solution? I think that increase in perc/permit fees to offset the new costs and shift of some needed investments in the county like new swimming pool or library to be paid by new residents application fees would let the market do its job. Another wise solution is to attract commercial growth since it contributes to the well being of community through tax revenue and jobs that stimulate local economy. Farm land lost is land lost forever! Use it wisely!