Family Farm Project

The Economics of Family Farming



Family farming is the base of Knox County's economy. A community of family-owned and operated farms contributes significantly to this rural area's social and economic character. Increasingly, family farms are becoming fewer in number and larger in size. This trend can be understood as part of a continuing shift in rural economic values. To remain competitive while allowing for tradition, family farms employ a variety of methods for remaining economically viable in times of market insecurity. Family farms have developed a variety of survival mechanisms for remaining competitive and maintaining their farm. These mechanisms include incorporating, forming partnerships, and diversifying. The character of the local economy is also shaped by government policy. Family farmers are not only significant to the local economy but also play a significant part in the national and global economy via agricultural markets.


What is The Family Farm Project? | Introducing Knox County | What is Family Farming? | Life on the Farm | Farm Organizations and Community Life | Farming and the Environment



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