Center for Agroecology

This unit provides students with an overview of trends and issues that affect small farm economic viability in the food system.

The first lecture reviews how small farms are defined and includes an overview of the ecological, economic, and social importance of small-scale farms, as well as the demographics of the current farmer population.

Lecture 2 examines recent economic trends and government policies impacting this sector. It concludes with a discussion of movements and strategies to support small farms, and sets the stage for subsequent units with an overview of marketing and income diversification strategies.

For a variety of reasons, including the demands of buyers and insurance companies, food safety has become a major concern in farming operations. Federal regulations governing food safety on the farm are still developing, but even in their absence, all growers should be aware of and employ practices that minimize the risk of food-borne contamination. This unit introduces the concept of food safety, and the steps involved in the developmnent of a food safety plan based on “good agricultural practices” (GAPS).

The first lecture discusses some of the reasons behind recent food safety concerns, reviews the categories of microbes and the pathogens most involved in food contamination, and discusses the need for a food safety plan and the current status of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Lecture 2 discusses potential sources of pathogens, practices that minimize risks of microbial contamination, and the use of logs, checklists, and standard operating procedures in implementing and tracking good agricultural practices. The concepts of conservation and biodiversity on the farm as they relate to food safety are also introduced, along with third party audits and sources for help in developing a food safety plan.

While many beginning farmers may start their new business using only their own labor, they will generally need help for the farm to grow and become profitable. It is important to understand the legal requirements for hiring employees and working with apprentices and interns.

Lecture 1 will familiarize students with employee protections— the federal and California state employment laws as they pertain to small farms. Most other states have employment laws administered through the state government in a manner similar to California. Generally, workers are entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay, and employers are subject to penalties for violating the law. There are limited exceptions for family members and some agricultural workers and trainees. This unit will look carefully at how the law treats on-farm internships and apprenticeships. These relationships are often viewed by both parties as something other than employment, but most of the time federal and state law requires an “intern” or “apprentice” to be treated as an employee under the law.

Lecture 2 looks at the obligations of an employer. In addition to complying with federal and state minimum wage laws, employers must also pay federal and state payroll taxes on time and comply with applicable state and federal safety standards to protect workers, such as carrying workers compensation insurance. Other federal and state rules cover requirements to keep certain types of records and to provide employees with certain notices.

Lecture 3 covers emerging alternative models for affordable and legally compliant farm apprenticeships: (1) working with an accredited educational institution to develop a registered apprenticeship program, (2) sub-leasing part of your land to an aspiring farmer, and (3) starting a separate business—a farm-school—and seeking funds to offset the costs of training provided to employees.

Affordable and secure access to land is crucial for assuring both the economic viability of small-scale agriculture and the adoption and use of sound land stewardship practices. In order to help beginning farmers secure long-term land tenure in the face of development and increasing land prices, new and innovative options for land tenure must be explored. This unit introduces students to a range of strategies that may be used to secure affordable access to land. Although the focus is on those farming or seeking farmland in California, this information will also be useful in other regions.

Lecture 1 examines the challenge of finding affordable farmland, and outlines various land tenure options, including leasing and purchasing, and alternative models such as community land trusts and shared ownership arrangements.

Lecture 2 offers “how to” information on finding land and developing a lease agreement. It also identifies government programs that offer help to beginning farmers who are looking for land and improving farmland.

Along with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), there are a number of other direct and intermediate marketing strategies that growers are using to maintain the economic viability of their small farms. This unit introduces students to some of the primary and innovative marketing approaches being used or explored by small-scale producers.

Unit 4.1 – Direct to Consumers—Farmers’ Markets and Roadside Stands, provides an overview of the essential considerations for developing and managing direct market sales through farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

Unit 4.2 – Selling to Restaurants and Retail, introduces students to the steps involved and the opportunities and challenges faced in selling directly to these markets.

Unit 4.3 – Additional Marketing Options, introduces students to some of the newer strategies people are exploring to expand their reach beyond the more standard ways of reaching customers. These include working with faith-based organizations as well as implementing agritourism ventures and eCommerce strategies. It also briefly reviews intermediate strategies such as farm-to-institution, food hubs, and collaborative ventures.

This unit on direct marketing through Community Supported Agriculture introduces students to the history of CSA and today’s various CSA structures. In addition, this unit will focus in depth on the two primary forms of CSA (the Membership/Share Model CSAs and the Subscription Model), illustrating how CSA structure, outreach, and administration differ for each model. The unit also covers the agronomic considerations for running a CSA, including crop planning, soil fertility, harvest, and post-harvest handling.

Marketing is often the most daunting task for beginning farmers, and with competition increasing in the organic sector, it has become an even more essential component of a farm’s overall business plan. Implementing a successful marketing plan requires a set of analytical and human relations skills that are distinct from but that compliment those used in production agriculture.

Ongoing growth in the organic sector has increased competition in the marketplace (including more and larger companies), but also has increased awareness of, demand for, and opportunities to market organic products. Market research and analysis of farm production and sales records can help the farmer identify profitable products and market outlets. Customer relations always have been, and continue to be central to a successful marketing strategy. Finally, social media technologies, while providing new marketing opportunities, require developing additional skills and time to use them effectively. This section provides an overview of some basic marketing elements.

This unit is about integrated farm planning. The goal of this approach to planning is to integrate the crop plan, the marketing plan, the financial plan, and the time management plan in order to minimize risk and maximize return.

All businesses have to manage uncertainty, but farmers face significant risks that are beyond their control, including the vagaries of nature, the fiercely competitive global market, land access challenges, and increased demands from local markets for ever-improved food safety plans and marketing materials. The farmer does not know what will happen each year, but over the life of the farm all of these pressures (and more) will surely influence the farmer’s success. While larger farmers selling into the undifferentiated commodity market can manage a great deal of production and marketing risk with crop insurance and marketing contracts, small-scale direct-market farmers have to manage their risks with their wits.

As with many things in farming, diversity—combined with planning—is the key. The lectures, exercises, and background scenario presented in Units 6.0–6.4 provide a framework for planning and operating a small direct-market farm to ensure resilience in an ever-changing world.

The choice of a produce marketing channel is one of the most critical decisions produce farmers must make. This unit introduces students to the history of produce marketing and provides information on the most common marketing options.

Lecture 1 provides an historical overview and discusses the changes growers made to their marketing practices after the advent of supermarkets and 20th century technology. It also introduces Agricultural Marketing Orders and their unique role in marketing produce. Three main conventional market channel options (wholesale buyers, grower/ shipper/packers, and brokers) are also reviewed, including their advantages and disadvantages for small-scale growers.

Lecture 2 discusses alternative marketing options (Direct to Retail & Restaurants, Farmers’ Markets, and Community Supported Agriculture); these topics will be covered in detail in later units. The lecture concludes with questions to consider in choosing a marketing strategy.