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  • From: JOHN A HENDRICKSON <jhendric AT wisc.edu>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Economics- sustainable ag?
  • Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 09:03:38 -0600

Alison,

Excellent point. It is not just market growers who struggle to make a
living from farming. There is also the factor of government programs
that contribute to supporting conventional crop and livestock farms. I
could be wrong but I think the statistic is that 90% of farms rely on
some off-farm income (rather than 90% of farm household income coming
from off farm, as you stated). In other words, only 10% of farm
households earn 100% of their income from their farm. I too, however,
am not sure about this "factoid"...so don't quote me.

-John

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wiediger, Alison" <awiediger AT HART.k12.ky.us>
Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:48 am
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Economics- sustainable ag?
To: 'Market Farming' <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>

> I don't think this is unusual - in any farming, not just market
> farming. I
> read somewhere (and can't remember where, so don't have a
> citation), that
> 90% of the household income in farm households last year was from
> off-farm
> sources. Terrible statistic for those of us "addicted" to farming!
> There
> are some doing it, but many more that are farming part-time, with
> one or
> both partners in off-farm jobs.
>
> Alison Wiediger, Au Naturel Farm
>
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> My most ambitious plans would only
> provide for about half the income I need. I have all the equipment,
> etc.that I need, and my operating expenses (and living expenses)
> are low, but
> my income is a LOT lower. Elliot Coleman's $6/hour seems about
> right, and
> I only have that income for 20 weeks/year.
>
> I can't even support myself, so hiring labor or getting a farming
> partnerwould further drain money away from the farm. I don't want
> to have to get
> a 'real job'...I love farming and think producing healthy, local
> food is
> an important job. I'm really scrambling to make this work. I'd love to
> hear ideas!
>
> Lynn Wigglesworth
> Cowbridge Farm
> Tioga Co. PA
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