![]() 2 - Farm landscapes like this one are often romanticized as idyllic living environments The divide between small family farms and industrial farms is not just a monetary one, but also a cultural one: a desire for community, a feeling of closeness to the land, a particular rural lifestyle, a sense of ownership and independence, and/or the preservation of traditions.įig. Farmer Bill, from the earlier example, may be happy with his small family farm and may not necessarily upgrade to a larger one if offered. Buying or maintaining your own plot of land becomes prohibitively expensive, and thanks to economies of scale, competing against an industrial farm becomes a monumental challenge.Īs our population increases, the world is becoming more dependent upon the food supply generated by both family-owned and corporate industrial farms. Many small family farms are simply priced out of existence. Therefore, in the wider global lexicon, "small family farm" and "smallholdings farm" are often used synonymously.Īs industrial farms expand, the availability of farmland and other essential farm resources becomes depleted. Many organizations, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), differentiate farms based on size alone, rather than ownership and gross income. Not all countries define "small family farm" the same way the US does. 1 - Large family farms are proportionally more productive than small family farms Small family farms make up about 89% of all farms and account for about 20% of all agricultural production in the US.įig. There are around 2 million farms in the United States, and family farms still make up about 98% of all of these farms. Many small family farmers may be employed in another full-time or part-time job. While these farmers may sell (or share) their surplus, these farms primarily exist to feed and clothe a family, not make money. Most of the products grown, produced, and harvested on the farm are consumed by the farmers themselves. Non-commercial family farms are specifically meant to provide subsistence for a family, not generate income. Many small commercial family farms may generate as little as $1000 a year. After that, it is considered a midsize family farm beyond that is the large family farm, which generates more than $1,000,000 per year.Ī commercial farm that grosses less than $150,000 per year is considered a low-sales farm. As we mentioned, this tops out at $350,000 per year. A small commercial family farm is designed to generate an income to either wholly or partially support the family who owns it. ![]() Small family farms can be either commercial farms or non-commercial farms. In the United States, farm sizes are categorized by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).Ī small family farm is a farm that is owned and operated by a family and grosses less than $350,000 per year. ![]() Small family farms are gradually disappearing as our food industry demands increased productivity and efficiency-but are there any benefits to keeping the little farms around? Read on to find out. Small family farms make up a large percentage of the farmland in the United States and abroad, but all around the world, larger farms are outproducing them. It might be time to sell this small family farm. Truth is, you and your family are just one bad season away from total and utter bankruptcy. How great it is to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city! But then you remember your scheduled post-lunch meeting with a corporate farm representative. As you get dressed, you make a mental note of the chores that need to be done before lunch. ![]() You glance outside your window to see a magnificent sunrise bathing your field of wheat in glorious golden light.
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