producers and home gardeners to supply their own needs and local

 markets. Research in mechanization and harvest aids have contrib-

 uted to greater independence and productivity of small-scale fruit

 growers. Better breeding stock, improved forage varieties, and

 insect and disease control have benefited small-scale livestock

 producers. Engineering research on soil drainage using plowed-in

 perforated plastic pipe, agricultural equipment to aid harvesting,

 and pesticide applicators has addressed problems common to small

 and large farms. Marketing and processing studies and demonstra-

 tions have sustained market outlets for small-scale farmers by

 pooling output of many small-scale farmers into auction markets

 and assembly market organizations.

 Social sciences research in the USDA/land-grant system has

 concentrated on gaining a better understanding of the complex

 nature of small farms and exploring opportunities to improve the

 well-being of small-scale farm families. Completed research pro-

 vides information for assessing the characteristics of small farms

 and their resources; identifies same of the kinds of economic

 adjustment and marketing activities which would increase incomes

 on small farms; and provides same insights into the impact of

 technology on small farms. Such findings provide the base from

 which expanded efforts can be initiated.

 SEA-AR has developed a bibliography for small-scale and organic

 farmers that lists 1400 reports by AR scientists, most of them

 published since 1950. / The report covers soil tillage, cropping


J W. Schwartz, A Bibliography for Small and Organic Farmers: 1920
 to 1978, SEA-AR, USDA, Washington, D.C. (1978).