SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTION


 This section focuses first on suggestions for coordination needs.

These are followed by ideas on priorities and resource levels.

 Coordination

 The Joint Council should consider the inclusion of a small farm

component in its regional and national planning and coordinating struc-

ture for research, extension, and higher education. A small farm com-

ponent of these planning bodies could provide a mechanism to pull

together the many excellent efforts currently underway (Rural Develop-

ment Centers, SEA-AR's planned conference on Technology for Small

Farms, National Rural Center, USDA-CSA-ACTIIW small farm pilot pro-

jects, the work of State small farm committees, etc.) to conduct

additional planning activities and serve as a catalyst to bring about

appropriate implementation of the plans. The small farms area needs

special planning attention at this time. Thus, the small farm task

force should be established and supported until the basic program is

designed and implemented, but for no longer than three years.

 The small farm planning task force or subcommittee should be

guided by the policy framework specified in the preceding section and

by the suggestions on priorities and resource level identified below.

 Priorities and.Resource Levels

Research

 The identification of the characteristics of small farms and work

in the areas of "Community Infrastructure" and "Quality of Life" are

of the highest priority. Little has been done in these areas; however,