Cornell Contact: Anu Rangarajan, (607) 255-9911 or ar47@cornell.edu,
and
Joanna Green, (607) 255-9227 or jg16@cornell.edu
Why Clusters?
Silicon Valley. Napa Valley. When we hear these names, we immediately have visions
of specific places known for specific industries. These locations represent
centers of excellence based upon their products, their support networks and
their reputations. In the business world, these areas are referred to as "Industry
Clusters." Research shows that clusters of firms often have higher profits,
greater productivity and faster rates of innovation. A hallmark of effective
clusters is that the firms making up the cluster simultaneously compete and
cooperate with one another.
In this project we ask: How and under what conditions can we help develop regionally recognized clusters of small and mid-sized farms that enhance the viability and profitability of individual farms? The benefits of clusters are many. The cooperation that happens among the cluster members can foster innovation, increase incomes and improve livelihoods. By their nature, clusters can draw new resources and investment to an area, strengthening the viability of small farms. We believe that in a rapidly changing and increasingly global marketplace, these collaborations can strengthen the viability of small and mid-sized farms and rural communities.
Project Description and Goals
At its heart, this project is an exploration of the potential for agricultural
clusters to enhance the viability and profitability of individual farms. We
envision that these clusters will include similar businesses that are located
near each other, that compete with each other either formally or informally
in similar markets, that cooperate to some extent to enhance technical skills
and market access, that benefit from new information, and that share common
inputs, such as labor with specific skills sets. Our goals are to:
o Investigate whether being part of a cluster helps farmers innovate and adapt
more quickly
o Examine how clusters of small farms foster agricultural economic development
o Understand how clusters of small farms can better meet environmental stewardship
goals
o Identify how clusters support long-term farm viability and community sustainability
o Engage farmers and other professionals in research and education about cluster
opportunities
Project Plans and Timeline
The project team has been working with regional partners to identify eight groups
of farmers who may already function as a cluster, have the potential to evolve
into a cluster, or are at the very early stages of developing a group identity.
These groups will become part of our learning community and work with us to
critically examine the cluster concept for small farms. Each of the eight groups
will be linked, via a local extension educator or other liaison, to our team
of researchers across the region. These groups will have opportunities to learn
from each other.
Our work will proceed in three phases:
1. Interviews with Key Contacts for each cluster (Feb-Mar 06, 60-90 minutes
each). These one-on-one conversations will help us better understand the history
of each group and potential directions for a cluster approach.
2. Focus Groups with up to10 group representatives (Nov 06-Mar 07, 2 hours each).
These group discussions will help develop deeper understanding of the strengths,
weakness, opportunities and threats facing the group, and potential benefits
that a more formal cluster may offer.
3. Survey of Cluster Members (January 2008, 30-45 minutes). Using information
and insights from the focus groups, we will develop a survey to better evaluate
the potential for cluster formation among the farmer groups. This survey will
be designed with input from the farmer group members, to increase their own
understanding of important issues that affect their group's progress.
As each stage of the project is completed, we will provide a report of our findings to cluster members. This information will offer several opportunities. First, cluster members will have the opportunity to reflect on the unique history, characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of their own group, and of the other clusters in the project. Second, cluster members can work with the research team and their local extension educator to identify further information, resource materials, or training they need. And third, cluster members can provide feedback to the project team in relation to our understanding of their cluster, the direction of the next stages of the project, and the educational materials that will be used for working with farm groups outside of the project. A limited amount of funds will be available to offset the costs of project participation.
For Further Information
Project website: www.nercrd.psu.edu/SFIC/SFIC.htm
Penn State: Walt Whitmer, (814) 863-4656, wew2@psu.edu
Cornell: Joanna Green, (607) 255-9227, jg16@cornell.edu
Project director: Stephan J. Goetz, (814) 863-4656, sgoetz@psu.edu
The Small Farm Clusters Project is funded by the USDA/CSREES National Research
Initiative, Agricultural Prosperity of Small- to Medium-Sized Farms and hosted
by The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development in partnership with universities
located in six Northeastern states. The project is a multi-disciplinary partnership
that draws upon the strengths of all three mission areas of the land grant system
- research, extension and teaching. USDA-NRI Grant Number 2005-55618-15744
