ESCS Small Farm Workshop

 In light of the increased attention being given to small farm

problems, the ESCS sponsored a research workshop May 3-4, 1978. 6/
Workshop participants discussed issues, research, and information

needs concerning small-scale farmers and their families. In back-

ground papers, panel presentations, and working group discussion

the participants stressed the diversity of the small farm population

and, for the most part, agreed that the appropriate point of reference

for research is the small-scale farm family rather than simply the

farm.

 This conference identified three general categories of research

needs. The first deals with the small farm as an agricultural pro-

duction unit and one source of family income. The second category

considers the small-scale farmer and his family as members of rural

society who depend largely on nonfarm income for family living and

whose presence may affect the availability of and demands for goods

and services in the community. The third area recognizes the impact

of agricultural and rural development policies and programs on small-

scale farmers and their families.

 Estimate of Current Resources Directed to Small Farms

 There are no accounting or reporting procedures in the USDA/land-

grant institution system for clearly identifying resources directed

to small farms research and Extension activities. In some instances,

the Congress has earmarked funds for specific small farm efforts. On


16_/
 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Small-Farm Issues: Proceedings
 of the ESCS Small-Farm Workshop, May 1978, ESCS-60, Economics,
 Statistics, and Cooperatives Service, Washington, D.C. (July 1979).