Small Farms in the United States: Persistence Under Pressure

Hoppe, Robert; MacDonald, James M.; Korb, Penni

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1557208

Cited by 64 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…They are also less likely to invest their own money in additional high tunnels in the future (see Table 2). The USDA defines farms with a gross cash farm income (GCFI) of US$10,000 or less as noncommercial or lifestyle farms (Hoppe, MacDonald, & Korb, 2010). Farmers in the EQIP-only funded group are typically older, likely reflecting the prevalence of owner-operators managing a lifestyle farm as a second career, hobby, or following retirement (Ahearn & Newton, 2009).…”

Section: Characteristics Of Eqip-funded Vs Self-funded or Partially mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative

Bruce

Farmer

Maynard

et al. 2017

J. Agric. Food Syst. Community Dev.

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This study evaluated the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative, or HTI, that the USDA expects to strengthen local and regional food production by increasing the availability of fresh, locally grown food. Goals of the HTI include improved plant and soil quality, reduced nutrient and pesticide runoff, and increased availability of fresh vegetables and fruits for local food markets. This study explored the farm-level impacts of production via high tunnels among Indiana farmers relying on the infrastructure. We identify characteristics of farmers who have obtained high tunnels through the cost-share program, to better understand the types of farm enterprises that are using the HTI to date and the effects that high tunnel implementation may have on their farms' economic success and contributions to locally sourced food systems. farm's economic stability, and increase the quality and yield of their crops. Our survey also finds that those farmers who have self-funded all or a portion of their high tunnels report greater increases in their farm's economic stability from investing in high tunnels than farmers relying on the NRCS funds for their high tunnels.

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Section: Characteristics Of Eqip-funded Vs Self-funded or Partially mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative

Bruce

Farmer

Maynard

et al. 2017

J. Agric. Food Syst. Community Dev.

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“…4 Plant residue tissue samples were ground to 1 mm particle size on a Wiley mill (Arthur Thomas Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and stored at −20˚C until laboratory analysis. Tissue sample N analyses were conducted by combustion (Vario Macro CN, Elementar Americas, Inc., Mt.…”

Section: Experimental Description and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Small commercial farms, those with gross cash farm income from $10,000 to $249,999, account for 36% of all farms and 22% of total agricultural production in the US, but they are challenged to remain profitable [4]. A new market for grassland agriculture is emerging because the Energy Independence and Security Act will require 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022 [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual-Use Bioenergy-Livestock Feed Potential of Giant Miscanthus, Giant Reed, and Miscane

Burner¹,

Ashworth²,

Pote³

et al. 2017

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High yielding perennial grasses could integrate bioenergy-livestock operations, thereby, offsetting diversions of cropland to lignocellulosic crops, but research is needed to determine chemical composition and digestibility of leaf and stem fractions that might affect downstream reside uses. The objective of this study was to compare feedstock quality of leaf and stem tissues of dedicated bioenergy feedstocks: giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), giant reed (Arundo donax), and miscane (Saccharum hybrid × Miscanthus spp.) when grown with or without supplemental irrigation on an upland site. Three species were space-planted on a silt loam soil in March 2007 and harvested prior to the first freeze in plant-cane, first ratoon, and second-ratoon crops for three years. Giant miscanthus leaf tissue had greatest acid detergent lignin and cellulose, and lowest concentrations of nitrogen (N) and total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) in ratoon crops. Giant reed leaf tissue had greatest concentrations of in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDMD), TNC, and N (P ≤ 0.05). Conversely, miscane stem tissue had greatest concentrations of IVDMD, TNC, hemicellulose, and low dry matter and combustible energy (P ≤ 0.05). Results suggest all species' residue has positive feedstock attributes for thermochemical bioenergy conversion, and albeit giant miscanthus has very little potential value as fodder. Miscane stem and giant reed leaf tissue have potential value as livestock feed, although giant reed is not currently recommended for planting. Further research is needed on dietary composition, acceptability, voluntary intake, and live weight gain before any of these species are recommended as livestock feed sources. † Retired.How to cite this paper: Burner,

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“…These are farms, henceforth referred to as "small, commercial farms," which report annual sales between US$10,000 and US$250,000, and with farming as the primary occupation of the owner (Hoppe, MacDonald, & Korb, 2010). Many small, commer-cial farms face similar challenges marketing and distributing their products, primarily because of the difficulties in linking to food supply chains.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%