Developing A Small/Part Time Farmer Cooperative
Terry E. Poole
University of Maryland
Frederick County, Maryland
Frederick County, along with several other counties in Maryland, have experienced heavy urban growth during the last two decades. This has resulted in the loss of many traditional, full-time family farms, while the number of small and part-time farms has increased. 1982 and 1992 U.S. Census of Agriculture data show the impact of urban growth on agriculture for that decade. (Table 1). This trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future as urbanization continues in this region.
Table 1. Percentage of Small Farms in the State of Maryland and Frederick County.
Frederick 1982 |
Frederick 1992 |
State 1982 |
State 1992 |
|
| Total Number of Farms | 1,463 |
1,346 |
16,183 |
13,037 |
| Farms <179 Acres | 66% |
71% |
75% |
75% |
| Cash Farm Receipts <$50K | 67% |
71% |
65% |
72% |
| Principal Occupation Not Farming | 41% |
56% |
54% |
54% |
| Operator's Who Work Off Farm | 48% |
50% |
54% |
58% |
Source: 1982 and 1992 U. S. Census of Agriculture Statistics
Small farm operators experience problems of high costs for inputs, limited markets, and availability of field work services. They also suffer from a lack of basic agricultural knowledge, because many have little or previous farm experience. These operators have unique educational needs that Extension educators need to address. Many small farm operators are highly motivated, well-educated professionals, whose powerful voices are currently being lost in the public forum on behalf of agriculture.
Objective
The objective of this Small Farm Cooperative is to unify small farms so that the diversity and flexibility of their operations can be capitalized upon and their purchasing power united to reduce costs. By uniting, small farms will be able to better exploit the large Baltimore/Washington market. Other advantages are:
Group purchasing will lower costs
Group marketing will bring higher prices and allow contract marketing
Marketing strategies will establish reliable markets
Service contracts and barter agreements can develop relable farm work
Educational program can be more easily developed and delivered
Cooperative can be focused action group
Niche markets can be quickly developed
Newly identified markets can be rapidly explored
Diversity of goods will be the strength of the cooperative
Markets untapped by traditional producers can be reached
Action
The following professionals made up the steering committee to develop the cooperative:
The assembly of talented professionals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the committee. Their efforts have a plan towards a cooperative being formed.
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