Small Farms

Small farms and ranches play a vital role in supporting the competitiveness and sustainability of U.S. rural and farm economies and in protecting and enhancing its natural resource base and the environment. These numerous and diverse small-scale operations provide a nursery for the development of new enterprises and marketing systems, and a replenishment of the farming population.

• The NIFA Small Farm Digest, a twice yearly, electronic publication focusing on topics of interest to small scale farmers and ranchers
• NIFA coordinates a National Small Farm conference every three years to promote successful programs for small producers that can be replicated nationwide.
• Report reveals special needs of Hispanic small-scale ranchers and farmers.
• University of California program serves small farms through research, education, and contacts.
• Refugee farmers get information and assistance from 4th National Small Farm Conference.
• Hispanic farmers and ranchers are the nation's largest group of minority producers.
• NIFA Small Farm Program and land-grant partners address small-scale production issues.
• Small Farm Seminars: A series of informal presentations on topics relevant to small-scale production.
• NIFA and other USDA agencies are working to carry out the National Commission on Small Farms recommendations, cited in its report called A Time to Act.

• Small Farms Overview

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