Small Farm Business
A listing of resources for small farm management and marketing.
Did You Know?
- Massachusetts increased number of organic farms from 129 in 2002 to 295 in 2007, and organic sales from $7.8M in sales in 2002 to $17.5M in 2007.
- More than 80% of Massachusetts farms are family-owned. Over 95% fit the category of "small farms", sales below $250,000.
- Massachusetts is 2nd in New England for direct sales of farm products to consumers. At $42M in direct sales, Massachusetts farmers were responsible for 40 percent of New England's total.
- Massachusetts ranks 9th nationally in total value of direct sales, following states such as California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington.
- Massachusetts ranks 2nd nationally in value of average direct market sales at $25,356 per farm.
- Massachusetts ranks 1st in the U.S. for farmland value at $12,202 per acre.
- Female farm operators account for 29% of the farm operators in MA, up from 21% in 2002.
- Agritourism income totaled $5.3M, up from $665,000 in 2002.
Sources: New England Agricultural Statistics 2007 and U.S. Census of Agriculture 2007.
Small Farm Business Research Guide
Aspire to own a small commercial farm? New to farming? Experienced but seeking support?
This guide focuses primarily on Massachusetts and the New England region
and offers information about:
- Library-based resources (some databases accessible by UMass affiliates only)
- Local resources
- Business planning
- Funding
- Associations
- Advocacy
- Statistics
Your feedback is most welcome to improve this community resource -- click "Comment" in any box.
For more information, contact Madeleine Charney at 413-577-0784 or mcharney@library.umass.edu
Selected titles at UMass Amherst Libraries
MA residents may borrow books from the UMass Libraries! Click here for an application.
- Creating food futures : trade, ethics and the environment by Farnworth, Cathy Rozel; Janice Jiggins; Emyr Vaughan ThomasCall Number: UM W.E.B. Du Bois; HD9000.5 .F283 2008
- Edible action: food activism and alternative economics by Miller, SallyCall Number: UM W.E.B. Du Bois; HD9000.5 .M49 2008ISBN: 1552662802
- Food chains : from farmyard to shopping cart by Belasco, Warrenand Roger Horowitz (Eds.)Call Number: UM W.E.B. Du Bois; HD9000.5 .F5938 2009ISBN: 0812241282
- Milk for health and wealth by Henriksen, JørgenCall Number: UM Science; SF245.8 .H46 2009ISBN: 9251061343Also available online through the UMass Amherst Libraries (for faculty, students and staff).
- True to our roots: fermenting a business revolution by Dolan, Paul with Thom Elkjer.ISBN: 1576601501Available online through the UMass Amherst Libraries (for faculty, students and staff).
- The organic farmer’s business handbook : a complete guide to managing finances, crops, and staff--and making a profit by Richard WiswallCall Number: UM W.E.B. Du Bois S605.5 .W57 2009ISBN: 1603581421
- The economics of American agriculture : evolution and global development by Steven C. BlankCall Number: UM W.E.B. Du Bois HD1761 .B564 2008ISBN: 0765622289
"Infarmation Specialist"
Contact Madeleine Charney, Agriculture Librarian
413-577-0784
Quick Poll
How are you mostly involved in the small farm world these days?
Farmer (or aspiring farmer): 7 votes (63.64%)
Professor, Higher Education: 0 votes (0%)
Administrator, Higher Education: 0 votes (0%)
Public school teacher: 0 votes (0%)
Landscape Architect: 0 votes (0%)
Regional Planner: 0 votes (0%)
Student of agriculture: 2 votes (18.18%)
Information specialist: 1 votes (9.09%)
Media: 0 votes (0%)
Other: 1 votes (9.09%)
Total Votes: 11
- Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 11:01 AM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/smallfarmbusiness
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