Report
Recommendation
No. / Category

Commission's Recommendations
and USDA's Action Plans

USDA Mission Area/ Agency/Contact Person

USDA Actions. REE appointed a Small Farm Coordinator and is conducting a stocktaking of REE agency program activities oriented toward small farms. On the basis of the stocktaking and input from the REE National Research, Education, and Extension Advisory Board, the mission area will develop an integrated and interdisciplinary Small Farm Research Initiative. 

The Research and Extension Priorities Subcommittee, formed at the 1996 1^st National Small Farm Conference, reported in June 1999. Research priorities was a topic for the October 1999 Second National Small Farm Conference.

Status: Ongoing. The plan for REE mission area was drafted in July 1999 and includes initiatives for CSREES, Economic Research Service (ERS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) for FY 1999, FY 2000, and FY 2001. The plan will be updated by mid-January 2000.

On-farm research priorities and techniques was a topic and will be part of the proceedings of the October 1999 2nd National Small Farm Conference.

Mission Area: REE (Research, Education, & Economics)
Agency: CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service)
Contact: Dan Kugler
Tel:   202 720-7947
Fax:  202-690-3162
Email: dkugler@reeusda.gov 
Rev. date: 01/12/00  

USDA Actions: ERS designed a research project to identify farm and farmer characteristics that are associated with the likelihood of above average returns, defined by returns to equity and to the operator's labor and management. 

Two papers have been generated from this research this year. One paper focused on factors contributing to the profitability of limited resource and other small farms while a second looked at factors contributing to earnings success of cash grain farms. 

Results show the importance of controlling costs and the financial structure of the business along with other factors such as insurance, and farm diversification. 

In addition to the papers, posters were developed for presentation at workshops and conferences. One poster focused on behavioral and economic characteristics of limited resource and other small farms. 

A second presented the ERS farm typology for a diverse agricultural sector. In addition, to a work shop display, ERS also printed the farm typology poster as a pamphlet for distribution to agency customers seeking information about the diverse characteristics of farm businesses, especially small farms. 

Copies of the pamphlet have been distributed for use in classroom instruction and to survey statisticians for use in providing respondents to USDA surveys a broader view of data use to profile farm business characteristics.

ERS developed and co-sponsored a workshop on, "What Makes Small Farms Successful?" with the Farm Foundation and The Center for Rural Affairs. The workshop was held July 12-13, 1999 in Chicago, Illinois and included persons interested in production, marketing, and financial activities of successful small farm operations. 

The workshop agenda included material on production systems, management strategies, marketing options, and access to resources such as financing by successful small farmers. A panel of successful small farm operators responded to material presented by researchers.

Work on cooperative agreements with the University of Illinois to identify factors associated with the distribution of economic risk by size of farm and with Purdue University to develop insight into business linkages continues.

Work at Illinois to develop questions designed to elicit producers attitudes toward risk was completed and incorporated into the annual Agricultural Resource Management Study (ARMS). 

The survey was completed for the 1998 calendar year and data made available for analysis in July 1999. New cooperative agreements were written with Iowa State University, University of California, Davis, Tennessee State University, and Pennsylvania State University. 

The first three agreements are designed to address deficiencies in our understanding of the production systems, marketing channels, and financing approaches used by smaller-scale agriculture and to identify attributes that contribute to the success of both small and moderate size farm operations. 

The Tennessee State University will also give special attention to farmers' sources of information and adoption of Best Management Practices. The fourth agreement will analyze the nature and extent of women's economic contributions to farm operations in the U.S. today.

To better disseminate small farm data and research, ERS developed a new Farm Structure Briefing Room that has been incorporated into the ERS Home Page. 

The briefing room provides an overview of the ERS farm structure research program; provides answers to commonly asked questions concerning farm structure (Questions such as How many minority farmers are there and what are their characteristics, and Small Farmers: Who are they?) are discussed. 

The briefing room also provides farm operator household income data, and a link to publications related to farm structure and small farms.

ERS is involved in a multi-institutional research project on the market for organic foods. Project participants include researchers from ERS, the Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture, and the Universities of Arizona, Georgia, and Massachusetts. 

Project participants hope to develop an enhanced understanding of the size and structure of the U.S. organic foods market by focusing on five topic areas: U.S. acreage and production, domestic marketing chain and structure, certification and its impacts, consumer demand, and global market conditions. 

For example, research on U.S. production is focused on analyzing data from the Organic Farming Research Foundation’s 1997 survey of organic farmers and other sources. One of the outputs will be a county-level national map of the location of certified organic farms in 1997 (for the farms for which the project was able to obtain mailing addresses). 

This information, coupled with other research in ERS/RED on certified organic acreage by state and commodity group, will give the most complete picture to date on the location of organic farms and the commodities they produce. 

Since organic markets have multiple opportunities for participants with different-sized operations, research results may assist small-scale organic producers in their marketing plans and provide information to other small-scale producers who are looking for additional marketing outlets. Products and publications from this research effort are expected to be released over 2000, with a synthesis document of research results released by December 2000.

Status: Partially completed. ERS will continue this research effort to analyze the systems, strategies, and technologies used by successful small farms, to learn how USDA can better assist small farm operators in achieving success. 

In addition, ERS, at the request of the House Committee on Appropriations, conducted a study of the economic impact of the termination of the Wool Act in 1993 on sheep and goat producer revenue and the economies of rural communities. 

The report was sent to Congress in April 1999.

USDA Actions. REE appointed a Small Farm Coordinator and is conducting a stocktaking of REE agency program activities oriented toward small farms. On the basis of the stocktaking and input from the REE National Research, Education, and Extension Advisory Board, the mission area will develop an integrated and interdisciplinary Small Farm Research Initiative. 

The Research and Extension Priorities Subcommittee, formed at the 1996 1^st National Small Farm Conference, will report in June 1999. Research priorities were a topic for the October 1999 2^nd National Small Farm Conference. 

Status: Ongoing. The plan for REE mission area was drafted in July 1999 and includes initiatives for ARS, CSREES, ERS, and NASS for FY 1999, FY 2000, and FY 2001. The plan will be updated by mid-January 2000.

On-farm research priorities and techniques was a topic and will be part of the proceedings of the October 1999 2nd National Small Farm Conference. (Same as the action plan developed for Recommendation 1.01). 

In addition, the REE Advisory Board's Ad Hoc Committee on Small Farm Research provided a draft report in September 1999. The final report is expected January 2000.

USDA Action. ARS initiated a series of activities to assure the integration of small farm research needs into our programs. Working with representation from the USDA Commission on Small Farms, criteria were developed to evaluate current research applicability to strengthening small farms. Using these criteria, the assessment process of the approximately 1200 projects in 23 National Programs is underway and will establish a baseline for ARS small farm-related research. 

ARS will then be in a position to determine gaps and initiate new research. In addition, ARS is holding workshops to determine future research priorities. 

To assure input from the customers and stakeholders that represent small farm interests, the National Program Staff is inviting representatives from these groups to participate in the workshops that are held for each National Program. Once workshops have been held for the 23 National Programs, action plans will be developed.

Status: Research evaluation applicable to strengthening small farms will be completed by January 31, 2000. All workshops will held by December 29, 2000. Action plans will be developed by July 31, 2001.

USDA Action. CSREES developed procedures to implement provisions of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) requiring increased stakeholder participation in priority setting and in the formulation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for competitive grants. 

Actions are ongoing to infuse specific language for small farms in competitive grant programs, and to place scientists/researchers with small farm background and interest on the panels to review proposals. SARE program is vested in this; the NRI is accommodating the need; other programs will follow. 

Status: Ongoing. In FY 1999, the NRI awarded 8 specific grants in Agricultural Systems program.

USDA Actions. Approximately $30 million in "mandatory" funding is identified by Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) in the FY 2000 President's budget. If funded, (1) include initiatives for small farms in RFPs, (2) include people with small farm interest as reviewers on panels, and (3) accept projects that provide for participation by small farm operators and partnerships with nonprofit organizations. 

Status: Ongoing. In FY 1999, Congress prohibited the use of mandatory funds to carry out the Fund for Rural America program. Similar action was taken in FY 2000.

USDA Action. Reoriented the USDA Small Farm Digest newsletter to include a greater focus on marketing---e.g., internet and "U-Pick" markets. 

In the winter of 2000, the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) will publish a state-by-state Directory of Small Farm Marketing Contacts. The 1999 2^nd National Small Farm Conference held in October in St. Louis, MO, also placed a greater focus on marketing. 

Status:  Ongoing priority activity.

USDA should also provide more for those 1994 Tribal Colleges with demonstrated programs of support to community-based organizations that have a history of serving minority farmers.

USDA Action. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service maintains a portfolio of funding programs directed to the land grant system. The Small Farm Initiative requested in the FY 1999 and FY 2000 President's Budgets directly impacts this recommendation.

Status: The Small Farm Initiative remains unfunded. Other programs are ongoing.

USDA Action. USDA agencies with land grant responsibilities are seeking to encourage land grant universities to (1) match Federal funds with state or other non-federal funds, (2) seek out and develop public and private research partnerships, and (3) require partnerships for merit or need-based funding.

Additionally, the 1998 research title to the Farm Bill specified that 1890 Universities progressively increase their matching against Smith-Lever (extension) and Hatch (research) formula funds, reaching 50% match by the year 2002.

Status: Ongoing.

USDA Action. To assure small farm/ranch representation, the Research, Education, & Economics (REE) mission area broadly reviewed its outreach efforts and carried out, among others, the following specific actions to enhance partnerships:

1. New members of the NRI review panel have experience with small farms/ranches.

2. The 2nd National Small Farm Conference provided the environment to develop linkages and support for Land-Grant Universities (LGUs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

3. REE supported/will support the past and proposed Marketing Outreach Workshop (activity led by AMS) to strengthen partnerships with institutions working with small farmers/ranchers.

4. ARS is assessing its research baseline, including small farm interests in planning workshops, participating in small farm meetings, and cooperating with other agencies and offices to strengthen support for small farms.

Status: Ongoing.

USDA Actions. When possible and reasonable, preference will be given to candidates that have a small farm background during the selection of candidates for the NAREE Advisory Board. 

For other boards, the Sustainable Development and Small Farms Director will assess the relevance of USDA-sponsored boards to small farms and take appropriate action to seek representation or membership.

Status: Two NAREE Advisory Board members with small farm background were appointed by the USDA/REE Under Secretary in FY 1999.

USDA Action. CSREES has planned to inventory 1862 and 1890 colleges and universities for courses and curricula on (or related to) cooperative marketing.

Status: To be implemented in early 2000.

USDA Action. The Food Science National Program Leader has been asked to prepare a baseline report on 1862 and 1890 colleges and universities with food technology and processing programs. This will be the basis for determining appropriate efforts to help small farm and ranch operators develop value added food products. 

Status: To be implemented in early 2000.

USDA Action. Pilot entrepreneurial ventures now underway in 4 states (FL, Maine, MI, CO), and slated for expansion to other states, including New Mexico, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Texas, Alabama, Florida and Idaho. 

The total estimated cost for the pilots is $300,000 over 4 years. They are being refocused on small and under-served farmers in response to the Commission recommendations. Pilot expansion depends on additional Federal funding from existing funds to leverage private foundation grants.

Status: USDA employees in Texas have completed the first pilot professional development training event focused on better engaging USDA field professionals in agricultural/forestry enterprise development. 

A second training is scheduled for Texas, April 2000, and others for Colorado and Florida, summer 2000. The training session to be held in Colorado is scheduled for March 8, 2000. 

USDA hosted a national forum on entrepreneurial development on September 29, 1999. The forum allowed agencies to understand entrepneurial development strategies being tested across the Department in field locations. Three additional forums are scheduled to highlight on-going activities. 

USDA Action. Historically, NASS has estimated the value of sales as part of its ongoing statistical program. In 1997, the Census of Agriculture was transferred from the Bureau of the Census to NASS which will provide an additional tool to estimate value of sales and accompanying data. 

Data were collected for the 1997 survey and published in February 1999. Information on market value of agricultural products sold was published both at the State and U.S. level.

Status: NASS plans to address issues expressed in the Commission’s recommendation through its ongoing statistical program.

USDA Action. ERS expanded a planned review of the tax code effects on agriculture to include issues raised by recommendation 5.7. An assessment of data needed for the study was completed, resulting in the development of a request to IRS for special tabulations of tax data to supplement ERS farm survey data. 

Status: The special tabulations of tax data requested from IRS was obtained in October of 1998. The data has been analyzed and a draft of the report is nearing completion. 

USDA Action. Approximately $30 million in "mandatory" funding is identified by CSREES in the FY 2000 President's budget. If funded, (1) include initiatives for small farms in RFPs, (2) include people with small farm interest as reviewers on panels, and (3) accept projects that provide for participation by small farm operators and partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

Status: In FY 1999, Congress prohibited the use of mandatory funds to carry out the Fund for Rural America program. Similar action was taken in FY 2000.

USDA Action. ERS attended the National Farm Transition Network Annual meeting in June of 1999 to obtain information and research the issues involving the transfering of farms from retiring to beginning farmers. 

ERS also presented a poster at the Second National Small Farms Conference in October 1999 on government credit program service to small farms. 

Status: ERS will use the information gathered from these meetings and conferences along with other research as the basis for an Agency report on alternative financial and legal methods for the intergenerational transfer of farm assets.

USDA Action. Ten thousand copies of tip sheets about the SARE research have been distributed to USDA field offices (e.g., Service Centers (FSA/NRCS/RD), Cooperative Extension, Risk Management Agency), nonprofit organizations, and farmers and ranchers. 

They are also on the World Wide Web, and featured at conferences such as the National Small Farm Conference, the Small Farm Today trade show and the North Central SARE marketing conference.

A series of ads--one of which is about the tip sheets and how to get them, both on the web and by mail--is underway in Small Farm Today magazine and may be expanded to other publications.

Status: Ongoing. 

USDA Action. To identify places where small farms have a particularly high reliance on pesticide and nutrient use, staff of CSREES-ECS and the SARE program are working with ERS and NASS to examine the potential use of their surveys. After an evaluation of the different survey tools, they developed a strategy that would link the production information for a particular crop from one survey with economic data for another survey. 

Linking this information could potentially help separate use of pesticides and nutrients by size of farm based on gross sales. The issue still to be resolved is the geographic scale of resolution for determining the farms with a higher reliance of inputs. The scale may be too large to help in developing a targeted outreach strategy for sustainable agriculture information.

Status: Ongoing.

USDA Action. The two-page "Sustainable Agriculture Resources for University and College Educators" developed by CSREES has been mounted on the web on the education page of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (http://www.sare.org/san/
htdocs/dev/asresources.html) and publicized through the mail groups sanet-mg and SAEd-Share-L. 
Updates and additional distrbution will take place periodically.

Status: Ongoing.

USDA Action. An ERS Staff Report on "The Economic Importance of Grazing and Public Lands to Western Communities" is undergoing review and clearance within the Agency. 

Status: The final report will be developed into an article for a Winter (1999-2000) issue of the ERS Agricultural Outlook magazine and/or as a special article for the ERS Dairy, Livestock and Poultry Report.

USDA Action. On-going projects are numerous, including:

• the May 1998 Economic Opportunities for Tribal Lands and People Using Special Forest Products
  
• Underserved Forest Landowner Workshops (several in Mississippi)
  
• the January 1999 Southern Landowner Outreach Conference.

These workshops featured value-added wood products and are co-sponsored by Land Grand Universities and Forestry Associations.

Status. Completed. 

USDA Action: CSREES has requested increases in the SARE budget for both FY 1999 and FY 2000 in the President's Budgets.

For FY 2001, $15 million was requested for SARE, including $1.2 million for PDP.

Status: Unable to be Implemented (Code 3). SARE's FY 2000 appropriation by Congress is the same as for FY 1999 -- $8 million for research and $3.3 million for PDP.

USDA Action: USDA did not request additional Smith-Lever 3c funding for the Small and Part-Time Farmer program, opting instead to request $4 million CSREES for the Small Farm Initiative in the FY 2000 President's Budgets.

For FY 2001, $4 million was requested again for the CSREES Small Farm Initiative.

Status: Unable to be Implemented (Code 3). No funding was provided for the CSREES Small Farm Initiative in FY 2000.

USDA Action: The FY 2000 Budget supported mandatory funding of $60 million for the Fund for Rural America.

The FY 2001 Budget also supports mandatory funding of $60 million for the Fund for Rural America.

Status: Partially Implemented (Code 2). For FY 2000, $60 million is available for the Fund for Rural America. In FY 1999 Congress prohibited the use of mandatory funds to carry out the Fund for Rural America program.

USDA Action: The FY 2000 and FY 2001 President's Budgets requested $3.2 million for this program, the same level of funding as available in FY 1999.

Status: Not Implemented (Code 4) For FY 2000, Congress appropriated $3.2 million for this activity as requested.

USDA Action. Secretary Glickman appointed a farmworker coordinator in the USDA Office of Outreach. The Coordinator is planning to create an interagency task force to address farm worker issues and is initiating ways to collaborate with the Department of Labor.

Status: Ongoing.

 

• No. 61: "Enforce the requirement that those who use "restrictive use pesticides" keep records of the application of their products."
• No. 62: "Immediately provide pesticide information to health care providers treating pesticide-related illnesses."
• No. 63: "Require USDA to use this information to prepare comprehensive annual pesticide use reports, as mandated in the 1990 and 1996 farm legislation."
• No. 64: "Enforce the Environmental Justice Executive Order at USDA."

USDA Action. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is designated by the Department to manage the Federal restricted use pesticide records. The USDA regulations require that if a professional health care provider requests restricted use pesticide application information in order to undertake an immediate medical treatment, the applicator must provide application information. 

AMS developed a Pesticide Exposure publication for health care professionals to help them understand how to get information from USDA and EPA on applications and use of pesticides. 

NASS, through information from routine surveys, has provided since 1993 an annual report to Congress specific to restricted pesticide use. Enforcing environmental justice is a Departmental priority.

Status: Completed, ongoing.

USDA Action. Beginning in January 2000, educational programs and research related to stress management will be featured on the USDA Helping Rural America Face Crisis web site. CSREES plans in 2000 three audio teleconferences through the land grant system on family stress and the farm crisis. 

The CSREES Helping Rural America Face Crisis web site has a section called Coping with Stress to assist farm families and staff who provide programs to farm owners and workers, and their families. 

Status: Ongoing.

  Back to Top · Small Farms Database Main Menu
Database By Subject Category · Database by Policy Goal
USDA Progress Reports Main Menu · Small Farms@USDA Home
OCE Home Page · USDA Home