Research

Research generally has been directed toward the technological needs of

American agriculture on the basis of problem areas under the implicit

concept that small-scale farmers have many of the same technological

needs as large farmers. The application of such technology has en-

abled same small-scale farmers to became large.

 The increased heterogeneity in agriculture with respect to commod-

ities produced, market availability, resource restraints, and size of

farm unit has also impacted on the research agenda. A number of States

now have research projects specifically designed to deal with small farms.

 Much of the research on small farms has been directed toward under-

standing the diversity of this group and structuring ways of communicat-

ing and servicing the various types of small farms. More recently, pro-

grams have recognized that small-scale farmers have a need for technology

and techniques designed more specifically for them. The technical aspect

includes techniques adapted to small farm usage, the management tech-

niques to provide for a feasible combination of farm enterprises, funding

techniques to provide access to financing by those who may be regarded

as high risk and high cost credit clients, and new marketing techniques.

o Current Programs:

 A survey of land-grant universities in 1977 indicated 30 or more

 States had one or more research projects that dealt specifically

 with small farm issues. -/ An examination of individual project

 CRIS (Current Research Information System) reports in late 1978


/ Jerry G. West, op. cit.; and Jerry G. West, "Issues in Research and
 Education Related to Small Farms," SEA, USDA, Washington, D.C.
 (mimeo) (1979).