Overview

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Small farms and ranches are an important sector of U.S. agriculture. A 2003 study by USDA's Economic Research Service shows that small-scale enterprises make up 91 percent of all farms and ranches in the United States, hold 70 percent of total farm and ranchland, and produce 27 percent of our food and fiber.In addition, more than half the hay and tobacco, and more than 30 percent of cash grains, dairy products and beef cattle come from small farms and ranches.

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In Focus

• Family Farm Forum is a new, Web-based series offering CSREES stakeholders a novel opportunity to discuss topics vital to America's family farms and ranches.
• Competitive funding opportunities in 2008 relevant to small and mid-sized agricultural operations.
• Web sites educate producers about value-adding agritourism.
• Report reveals special needs of Hispanic small-scale ranchers and farmers.
• University of California program serves small farms through research, education, and contacts.
• Refugee farmers get information and assistance from 4th National Small Farm Conference.


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Partnerships

• CSREES partners with State Small Farm Program Coordinators to promote research, education, and outreach on small farm and ranch issues.
• CSREES serves on the USDA Small Farm Coordinators' team to help coordinate small farm policy and programs within USDA.
• CSREES partners with Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program to promote sustainable agricultural practices to small producers.


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Events

• Competitive Grants Grantsmanship Workshops, Washington, DC/Salt Lake City, UT, September/October, 2008.
• Galaxy III Conference: "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities," Indianapolis, IN, September 15-19, 2008.
• Entrepreneurship in the Food Chain when "local" is King, 2008 Conference, Food Distribution Research Society, Columbus, OH, October 11-15.


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Selected Results and Impacts

• CSREES funds are helping Oregon researchers understand why not all farmers' markets succeed.
• Oregon researchers draw on CSREES funds to develop tools for organic milk producers to help meet increasing demand.
• CSREES' accomplishments on behalf of small producers were noted in a special USDA report.

Resources

• Success Stories. USDA Office of Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. Examples of how USDA can help small scale producers.
• Annies Project, Iowa State University. Offering women the financial skills and critical information needed to manage a farm or ranch.
• Project Forge, University of Texas - Pan American. Free technical assistance in small farm and business development and information technology in rural Texas.


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Contacts

Denis Ebodaghe

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