Eddy LaDue, R. David Smith, Cornell University, December 2001
Issues addressed in this paper include: the number of small farms that are "real" farms; the magnitude of economies of size; income levels on small farms; the age distribution of small farm operators; opportunities to strengthen small farm businesses; and the contribution small farms make to rural communities. Publication is in PDF format.
Michael Duffy, Iowa State University Beginning Farmer Center, September 2001
This paper presents proposals related to small farms that should be addressed in formulating the 2002 Farm Bill. Publication is in PDF format.
National Farmers Union (Canada), November 20, 2003
Discusses how governments and corporations affect farm success and myths of farm competition and efficiency. Publication is in PDF format . To obtain a print copy, call (306) 652-9465.
John Ikerd, University of Missouri
A series of thought-provoking articles by Dr. John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri. Ikerd is an outspoken advocate for small farms and sustainable agriculture. He argues that small farms, not large, industrialized farms, represent the future for agricultural and rural communities.
Peter M. Rosset, Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy [http://www.foodfirst.org/], September 1999
This Policy Brief challenges the conventional wisdom that small farms are backward and unproductive. Using evidence from southern and northern countries, the author demonstrates that small farms are "multi-functional" -- more productive, more efficient, and contribute more to economic development than large farms. Small farmers can also make better stewards of natural resources, conserving biodiversity and safe-guarding the future sustainability of agricultural production. But the process of global trade liberalization has had dramatically negative effects on small farmers everywhere.
22 pages plus bibliography. $6. Item IPB4. To order a hard copy, click here.
or contact:
Food First
398 60th St.
Oakland, CA 94618
Phone: (510) 654-4400
Fax: (510) 654-4551
E-mail: cdrake@foodfirst.org
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, July 2003
The purpose of the conference was to convene national, state, and local small farm program managers, representatives of community-based organizations, foundations, agri-industry, small farm and ranch communities, and other public and private sector organizations to provide a forum to: discuss areas of concern involved in keeping American small farms economically viable, form new partnerships and formulate an action agenda necessary to maximize existing resources, coordinate activities to help America's small farms, ranches, and rural communities to survive and thrive in the 21st century. Publication is in PDF format.
201 pages. For a print copy of these proceedings, contact:
Alicia Simon
Program Assistant for Small Farms
USDA-CSREES, Stop 2215
Washington, DC 20250-2215
Phone: (202) 720-5119
Fax: (202) 690-3162
E-mail: asimon@reeusda.gov
Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
An easy-to-read, 8-page information bulletin in PDF format that describes many different types of small farms and their distribution throughout the U.S.
Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, May 2001
This 90-page bulletin discusses a "farm typology" developed by the Economic Research Service (ERS), which categorizes farms into groups based primarily on occupation of the operator and sales class of the farm. Categories of farms differ according to operators' expectations from farming, age, and dependence on agriculture. The groups differ in their importance to the farm sector, product specialization, participation in USDA programs, and dependence on farm income.
National Commission on Small Farms, U.S. Department of Agriculture, January 1998
In this classic report, a 30-member National Commission on Small Farms examines the status of small farms in the U.S. and determines a course of action for USDA to recognize, respect, and respond to their needs.
To order a hard copy, contact:
Small Farm Program
USDA-CSREES
Stop 2215
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 1-800-583-3071
Fax: (202) 690-3162
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This report was prepared by the USDA Small Farms Coordinators. The report provides highlights of the continuing efforts made by USDA to assist the nation's small farmers and ranchers since the USDA National Commission on Small Farms published its report, A Time to Act , in January 1998. This report reflects accomplishments through October 2001.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This report is the product of 18 months of review and discussion of pending and existing USDA programs and policies, as well as testimony, both oral and written, given by small farmers and small farm organizations, at public hearings. Publication is in PDF format .
