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Rural Economy Implications Of Farms Converting To Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Some Estimates For South Dakota, Thomas Dobbs, John D. Cole

Economics Research Reports

The purpose of the research reported in this monograph is to examine the hypothesis implied in that argument, i.e., that adoption of sustainable farming systems would adversely affect rural economies. Effects examined can be conceptualized in terms of the "backward" and "forward" linkages shown in Figure 1. The direct (or primary) effect of a conversion from conventional to sustainable farming systems in a local area is the effect on net incomes of agricultural households. Agricultural households are defined here as farm proprietors and their families and hired laborers. Secondary effects result from "backward" and "forward" linkages to the farm sector.