SMALL FARMS IN MICHIGAN: A PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH

The operators of small farms play an important role in determining Michigan's agricultural production. Approximately one third of the state's gross farm sales originate from small farms. Yet small farms are relatively less efficient and less productive than commercial farms. Crop yields are lower and a smaller percentage of cropland results in harvested crops. If greater land productivity and larger agricultural output are desirable from Michigan farms, they could come from small farms provided that physical production inputs are available to the operators in sufficient quantities at reasonable prices, and that small farmers can learn and use good managerial techniques in order to achieve greater productivity.