CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR BEGINNING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PRODUCERS IN THE SOUTHEAST

Objective 1. Identify agricultural industries and niche markets in the Southeast attracting beginning farmers of small and medium-sized and identify factors affecting their survival.Objective 2. Employ novel empirical models to identify how each industry group and subgroup of beginning farmers can improve their productivity and efficiency.Objective 3. Evaluate to what extent government (state and federal) support programs improve survival and economic efficiency of each group of small and medium-sized BFRs. Objective 4. Identify how limited access to health insurance and affordable health care services affects sustainability, entry, and retention of beginning farmers and their hired workers.Objective 5. Identify constraints and opportunities specific to female BFRs in the region.