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Title: CHARACTERISTICS OF SUSTAINABLE FARMERS: SUCCESS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC

Author
item Gilbert, Leslie
item Teasdale, John
item KAUFFMAN, CHARLES - ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION
item Davis, Mark
item Jawson, Linda

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2003
Publication Date: 1/1/2004
Citation: Gilbert, L.A., Teasdale, J.R., Kauffman, C., Davis, M.G., Jawson, L. 2004. Characteristics of sustainable farmers: success in the mid-atlantic. Stevensville, MD: Future Harvest-CASA. 24 p.

Interpretive Summary: Many small farmers in the mid-Atlantic states have highly successful and profitable direct-marketing operations. This project was undertaken to identify the characteristics of these successful small-farmers. The Small Farm Success Project is a collaboration of extension, NGO, and ARS participants funded by a USDA IFAFS grant to facilitate implementation of innovative direct-marketing and production strategies by local small farmers. We visited 44 farms and conducted focus group meetings as part of this project. These men and women use sustainable practices that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. We found that these farmers share commonalities in their agricultural practices and beliefs, and we have focused this article on a discussion of eighteen characteristics. Ten characteristics relate to the basics of farming sustainably: Local Marketing, Diversity, Relationship Building, Educational Mission, Stewardship, Obtaining Value from Nature, Compromise and Flexibility, Willingness to Question, Knowledge and Experimentation, and Logistics and Management. Eight characteristics relate to production characteristics: Crop Rotation and Cover Cropping, Off-farm Materials, Holistic Pest Management, On-farm Nutrient Sources, Tillage, Affordable Equipment, Irrigation and Mulch, and High Tunnel Production. This publication will be useful to small farmers, direct-marketing personnel, technology transfer professionals, and consumers dedicated to enhancement of local food production and distribution networks.

Technical Abstract: This article is a crystallization of the essential methods of production and marketing of highly successful farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region. All of these farmers had highly diversified vegetable, fruit, herb, and/or flower production. Some had incorporated poultry and meat animals into their operation. All direct market to some extent and many have a CSA operation or are vendors at farmers' markets. We found that these farmers share commonalities in their agricultural practices and beliefs, and we have focused this article on a discussion of eighteen characteristics. Ten topics relate to the basics of farming sustainably: Local Marketing, Diversity, Relationship Building, Educational Mission, Stewardship, Obtaining Value from Nature, Compromise and Flexibility, Willingness to Question, Knowledge and Experimentation, and Logistics and Management. Eight topics relate to production characteristics: Crop Rotation and Cover Cropping, Off-farm Materials, Holistic Pest Management, On-farm Nutrient Sources, Tillage, Affordable Equipment, Irrigation and Mulch, and High Tunnel Production. However, each farm and its farmer is also unique. One overriding lesson that emerged from this exercise is that the individuality of the farm determines the agricultural strategies used on it.