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Why Are Family Farms in Trouble?

Modern Farmer

Because farming is so central to our nation’s identity—and its idea of itself—this future can feel fraught. In 2012, the USDA forecast that most (70 percent) family farms would transfer hands over the next 20 years. Will family farms as we know and love them survive, and how do the ones that are thriving now do it?

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Meet the 4th Generation Rancher Driving a Regenerative Cattle Collective Forward

Modern Farmer

For Cory Carman, choosing to raise cattle outside of the feedlot system always seemed intuitive. Upon leaving her family farm to study agriculture at Stanford, she took up a work-study program investigating the economic viability of grass-fed beef. “It The market for grass-fed beef continues to grow.

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Census of Agriculture Reveals the Promise of Regional Food Systems

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Joshua Cave, Cave Family Farm in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. These findings highlight the economic impact of programs like those within the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) that support the development of markets for local, regional, and value-added products, and direct to consumer sales.

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The Financials of Profitable Small-Scale Farming

Modern Farmer

Just a Few Acres Farm in Lansing, NY has nearly 500,000 subscribers on YouTube, where seventh-generation farmer Pete Larson posts videos with titles like “The basics of cutting hay” and “Playing in the Dirt with Pregnant Pigs”. Pete Larson on his farm. Photography courtesy of Pete Larson and Just a Few Acres Farms.

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Book Excerpt: Commodities and Consolidation

Food Tank

Instead of growing a variety of crops and raising animals, most farms now rely on a commodity crop or two. That’s why less than 10 percent of farms still have animals. Previously, it was cost-effective for farmers to graze their cattle or grow their own feed.

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Moving into the Agrihood

Modern Farmer

Seasonal crops rotate through expansive pastures, cattle graze the rich sea grasses and several colonies of bees hurry about their business. But unlike neighboring farms that focus on production for faraway markets or keep a single family afloat, the farm at Kiawah River is supporting 185 families who live in the surrounding homes.

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The Rise of Virtual Farmers Markets

Agritecture Blog

Recently, they’ve started selling their products virtually, on a consolidated market site. Initially, the plan was to rotate other responsibilities such as marketing and social media among the participating farms. The self-proclaimed Northeastern Online Farmers’ Market offers local products from more than 25 farms.