Agricultural Viability at the Urban Fringe

"Enhancing the viability of agriculture is a critical agricultural policy objective at the urban fringe. This paper investigates the factors that contribute to the viability of urban fringe farms via a cash flow model.  Results indicate that viability is directly related to gross sales and the extent to which a farmer grows higher valued crops, but is inversely related to indebtedness and farm asset value. Contrary to popular belief, off-farm income and revenues from land sale do not affect viability.  Findings suggest positive returns to formal education and an inverse relationship between operator age and farm viability.  Farmers utilizing cooperative extension and related services and those adopting innovative marketing approaches exhibit significantly greater viability.  Surprisingly, those that have adopted various innovative production practices appear less viable in the short-run. Local right-to-farm ordinances aimed at protecting farmers are largely ineffective, while right-to-farm conflicts significantly reduce the viability of farms. Given the trends in farming at the urban fringe, the results suggest the importance of farmland preservation and the encouragement of intensive high-value agriculture." [Abstract from Conference Program and Book of Abstracts]

[Concurrent Session I-C: Peri-Urban Agriculture]

[Presented at "Emerging Issues Along Urban/Rural Interfaces: Linking Science and Society", a conference held March 13-16, 2005 in Atlanta, GA (US)]