Linking mulifunctional farms to rural entrepreneurship development

Farmers in rural communities in the US face growing pressure and financial stress to sustain long-term profitability while maintaining working landscape and quality of life for families. This presentation will share results of the largest field survey information in the United States to study multifunctional agriculture (agrioturism, values added production, direct sales to unconventional venues, and participating in off farm jobs) starting with the New England region. The objectives of this study included (1) to identify the magnitude and impacts of multifunctional agriculture in different communities, (2) to understand reasons, purposes, experiences, and outcomes of multifunctional agriculture with respect to long-term profitability and sustainability for farm families, and (3) to explore policy options to support multifunctional agriculture in rural communities.

Two stages of the survey were conducted with more than 10,000 farm operators in the New England region to gather information of farm profiles, categories of multifunctional operations, farm operators’ demographics, farm labor situations, family decisions and support, entrepreneurial characteristics associated with farm enterprises and farm operators, challenges, barriers, and future outlook. Data analysis was completed using multivariate cluster analysis, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, and multivariate analysis of variances. Results indicated that small family farms were more entrepreneurial in terms of operation and networking capacity compared to large commercial agricultural producers. Small family farm operators also presented high levels of entrepreneurial characteristics such as taking control, being creative, and making independent and effective decisions. Risks were not serious concerns for all farm operators who responded to the survey. Small family farms believed that engaging in multifunctional operations indeed provided alternative income sources beyond selling conventional food and fiber products, and most of the small family farm operators had significant income from off-farm jobs. It was also noted that small family farms contributed more significantly to rural economic and intellectual mobility when they became more involved in promoting and strengthening local food systems.