Farm Operator Adjustments and Neighboring at the Rural-Urban Interface

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research examines how farmers are responding to some of the challenges associated with population growth and development at the rural-urban interface. A basic question is whether these challenges are associated with negative changes in the farm operation, such as land farmed or total sales. The study also examines differences in the problems experienced, adaptations, and neighboring practices of four different sets of farmers located at the interface (full-time, part-time, retiree, and hobby farmers). The analysis is based on mail survey data from 109 households in an eight-township region located in an Ohio metropolitan region. The analysis finds that farms in this region are generally adapting, and even expanding their operations, despite population growth and the difficulties of farming amidst nonfarmers. The analysis also finds that full-time operators most actively engage in neighboring with nonfarmers. Hobby farmers are least involved in neighboring. The analysis identifies several opportunities for agricultural education and development at the rural-urban interface and suggests several research questions for future consideration.