Public Views on Family and Corporate Farms

Abstract

ABSTRACT Contemporary agricultural practices and the public's understanding of the same are not necessarily in synchrony. Beliefs about the economic contribution of agriculture, farming practices, and their impacts on the environment and community, and the motivations of farmers were explored via a mail survey of Illinois residents. Respondents were asked to consider farms by structure and describe what they perceive to be attributes or behaviors differentiating family or corporate farms. Respondents recognized the value of agriculture to the state. Overall, agriculture was ranked among the seven standard industry categories as that with the most important economic impact. However, this sector was ranked lower by residents in counties with or adjacent to population centers of a hundred thousand residents or more and by the non farm population. Although perceived distinctions between crop and livestock operations were not substantial, strong differences were perceived between corporate and family farms. Perceived factors differentiating the two farm types included ownership, operation size, business motivation, separation of management and labor, operator's concern for and participation with the local community and environment, heritage, source of labor, and locale of residence. Family farms were perceived in a much more favorable light than their corporate counterparts.