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    Start Over Subject Term farmer attitudes Subject Term farmer perceptions Subject Term interviews

    3. Farmer perceptions of tunnels for berry production: management and marketing implications

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Conner, David S. (author) and Demchak, Kathleen (author)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2018-12
    Published:
    United States: American Society for Horticultural Science
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 11 Document Number: D10323
    Journal Title:
    HortTechnology
    Journal Title Details:
    28(6) : 706-710
    Notes:
    6 pages., Via online journal., Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) and caneberries (Rubus sp.) are popular crops that can bring revenue to farms and may improve farm profitability. High and low tunnels can bring a number of benefits to growers, including season extension and improved berry yield and quality, as well as management challenges. Few studies in the literature report directly on grower experiences using tunnels. We report the results of interviews of 10 independent growers who use tunnels to produce strawberries and caneberries. The results echo previous studies finding improved yield and quality, and highlight benefits and challenges around pest, weed, and nutrient management. One novel finding is the role of season extension in creating marketing opportunities. Interviewed growers caution of a learning curve and the need to start on a small scale and grow gradually. Future focus for research should include improved ventilation and mechanization.

    4. Multi-Dimensional Motivations and Experiences of Small-Scale Farmers

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Iles, Keri (author), Ma, Zhao (author), and Nixon, Rebecca (author)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2019-09-19
    Published:
    United States: Taylor & Francis
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12512
    Journal Title:
    Society & Natural Resources
    Journal Title Details:
    34 (3)
    Notes:
    Preconceived notions exist about small-scale farmers in the U.S. Beyond research on new and beginning farmers, few empirical studies have learned directly from small-scale farmers in the U.S. about their perspectives and experiences. By analyzing semi-structured interviews of small-scale farmers in Indiana, this study develops an in-depth understanding of the multi-dimensional motivations and experiences of small-scale farmers and the interconnected, multi-scalar challenges they face. The lack of social infrastructure to support small-scale farmers becomes paramount as they contend with dilemmas of engaging in pluriactivity, securing reliable labor, and navigating relationship building with consumers and peers for both short-term profits and long-term social capital. This study contributes to understanding how small-scale farmers’ motivations, experiences, challenges, and strategies interact to shape their relationship to the land, their farming enterprise, and their perception of and position in the larger agro-ecological-social-economic system, and highlights the need to improve social infrastructure to support small-scale farmers.