Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources

Ag & Marketing/Economics

Ag & Marketing/Economics

 

Introduction

Farmers and ranchers often remark that they cannot be sustainable if they are not profitable. For most food and fiber products grown in Washington today, low prices are a constant challenge to the economic viability of farms. Overproduction, commodification, and consolidation are three forces that constantly put stress on farm finances. Government policy and regulation can also have a large impact on farm economics.

However, many growers are realizing that they need to become more innovative in their marketing in order to capture a larger share of the consumer food dollar. The New American Farmer presents case studies of 100 producers across the country who are finding ways to improve their economic sustainability while also addressing environmental and social concerns. There is no one or two strategies that will solve the economic challenges in agriculture today. But there are opportunities, be they new crop and livestock products, products produced with specified regimes (e.g. organic, HACCP), new ways to connect with consumers, and new economic enterprises (e.g. agritourism, renewable energy).

Other Resources

Sustainable Agriculture Network, part of the USDA SARE program, has a number of publications on marketing, including The New Farmer's Market: Farm-Fresh Ideas for Producers, Managers and Communities.

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Projects

CSANR Projects

Small Farms Program. Dr. Marcy Ostrom offers a number of educational opportunities for small farmers to improve their economic performance through business planning, improved financial analysis, and new marketing approaches.

Food Alliance. David Granatstein was one of the founders of Food Alliance and continues to participate on the Stewardship Council. Food Alliance has become a national leader in ecolabeling of sustainably grown food.

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