Browsing by Subject "Farming"
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Item Agricultural Preservation Precedent Studies(Minneapolis: Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, 2009) Schweser, GregItem Consolidation, Competition, and Antitrust Law: A Changing Landscape for Minnesota Farmers(2024-05-01) Keliher, MatthewMuch of the research on farming and agricultural market concentration focuses on the importance of quantitative elements such as price, access to markets or capital, or concentration ratios. And while these quantitative measurements are critical for understanding the impact consolidation has on consumers and producers within the broader agricultural industry, it only represents one aspect. This qualitative study aims to capture the perspectives of Minnesota farmers to explore how consolidated agriculture markets impact farmers’ communities and livelihoods. Comparing their perspectives with the current literature regarding market concentration in agriculture and food distribution, this study aims to illuminate the views of independent farmers that are subject to the control of dominant firms that abuse their market power. Semi-structured interviews with Minnesota farmers highlight key elements of the reviewed literature and demonstrate connections between challenges faced by farmers with economic indicators such high costs of farming inputs, the limitations of quality rural healthcare, and the burden placed on farming communities through restrictions on repairing agricultural equipment. A key theme throughout the interviews revealed that many farmers view consolidated industries as systems of control. Control over how they can farm, how they can care for and feed their livestock, how they can repair their machinery, where they can sell their produce and for how much. These systems of control are often hailed as “efficiencies” by consolidated corporate power. But for farmers, these systems of control represent an end to two things farmers and all citizens value most: creativity and liberty.Item Duluth Farmers' Market Survey and Business Plan(2006) UMD Labovitz School of Business and EconomicsThe Duluth Market Gardeners' Association worked with the Labovitz School’s research bureau to describe the history of the business, marketing financials, business operations, and an executive summary for the business plan. Information from the survey analysis was brought in to guide the marketing plan and to focus expectations for future fund raising and building projects. This is a economics and marketing survey with little insight into land use, water or natural resources.Item Farm to Fridge: The Exploration of Postharvest Refrigeration Needs and Opportunities Among Minnesota Produce Farmers and Rural Grocery Stores(2023-12) Olive, RenTo grow more farms and support local food systems the infrastructure needs of beginning and small/mid-size farmers warrants attention. Postharvest refrigeration is known to provide benefits to farmers, buyers, and consumers via improved food safety, longer sales windows, and reduced food waste. This research explores the feasibility of a "farm-to-fridge" model, exploring the potential for produce farmers to lease or rent existing cold storage space in rural grocery stores situated in communities with populations of less than 2,500. To fill gaps in knowledge, the cold storage and refrigeration needs of a sample of beginning and small/mid-size Minnesota produce farmers and the availability of cold storage in rural grocery stores are assessed. Cold storage is positioned within the broader context of infrastructure and critical support for local food system development through a concise overview of U.S. local food system development. Data collection methods used include a survey of 78 Minnesota produce farmers, interviews with four beginning produce farmers, and a survey of 138 rural grocery stores (located in communities with less than 2,500 people). Results show that while a desire for increased cold storage is clearly articulated by both beginning and seasoned Minnesota produce farmers, surveyed farmers and grocers were less certain about using shared cold storage space through the “farm to fridge” model due to limitations in space at the stores and logistical barriers. This research utilizes a mixed method approach and applies the framework of sustainability (or the nexus of prosperous community, economics, and environment) to analyze findings from data collection. Three themes of analysis emerged, which include the impact of refrigeration on perceived business success as it relates to 1) Social/Community: Lifestyle and Interactions with the Community, 2) Economics: Profitability of the Farm, and 3) Environment: Farm Practices and Food Waste. Recommended areas for future research and action are outlined into three categories that include changes in public funded programs, building trust between Extension and beginning and small/mid-size produce farmers, and strengthening buying relationships between produce farmers and rural grocery stores.Item The Future of Our Farmland: An Agricultural Inventory for Scott County, Minnesota(Minneapolis: Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, 2009) Aitchison, KateItem Needs Assessment of Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Producers(2019-11-20) Klodd, Annie; Hoidal, NatalieThis report summarizes the findings of a needs assessment with commercial fruit and vegetable growers in Minnesota completed over the winter of 2018-2019, as well as a follow-up retreat with individuals representing organizations working with fruit and vegetable research, outreach, and education in the Midwest. Based on the needs assessment and retreat, we have identified priority areas for fruit and vegetable research and education with Minnesota farmers.Item Northeastern Carlton County (NECC): Activities, Attitudes and Ratings(1974-02) Laundergan, J. Clark; Pearson, A. NeilThis 1973 general socio-economic survey of 509 respondents focused on social aspects of the northeastern segment of Carlton County. Only a few questions dealt with natural resources or water resources. 1% (n = 5) reported farming full-time, and 7% (n = 33) were part-time farmers. While a few recreational questions were posed, none were specific to water. A question asked "Please list three things you think this community needs most." 19 respondents replied "Swimming (mostly outdoor)"and 18 replied "Water supply." The study concludes that "Environmental preservation and pollution control is obviously important to many as was their expressed concern about an adequate and ensured water supply."Item Scott County Prime Farmland Mapping Project(Minneapolis: Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, 2009) Schweser, GregItem Small Farms Initiative(2010) Arlt, Timothy; Wieland, Betsy; Winter, Nathan; Carlson, Brad; Martens, Dan; Haugen-Brown, Tana; Herzfeld, Dean; Foord, Karl; Wilsey, David; Martin, Wayne; Waters, Katherine; Kieser, Laura; Nelson, Beth; Gustafson, Kent; Postels, BrendaEstablish the infrastructure for a vibrant Small Farms initiative to address the growing number of small farms in Minnesota. This includes publications, curriculums, events, activities, communications, web resources, and staff and professional development. This project will also work to identify potential funding sources and partners.Item Source, Spring 2014(University of Minnesota Extension, 2014) University of Minnesota ExtensionItem Source, Summer 2016(University of Minnesota Extension, 2016) University of Minnesota ExtensionItem Updating and Incorporating Sustainability into Scott County’s Zoning Code(Minneapolis: Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, 2010) Dahlheimer, Justin