THE RURBAN FRINGE

The Big Business of Farmer’s Markets & Ag Matchmaking

Whew … it’s a busy week … so feel free to catch up with me at FarmOn.com – an online agricultural social networking community – where I’ve noted how Farmer’s Markets are Big Business and how programs in the US are matching newbie farmers to seasoned ones in efforts to encourage more folks to enter the agricultural [...]

Is Demand for Locally Produced Food Changing Agriculture?

There’s no denying the impact of the 100 Mile Diet, an influential movement encouraging the consumption of local foods (i.e. within 100 miles), as more and more consumers demand that their food be produced closer to home. 
According to national statistics though, the average farm size in North America is growing.  Yet the number of small farms is also increasing.  How can this [...]

Training Family Farmers to Manage Like Executives

From the Financial Post … 
“It has opened my eyes to new opportunities.  This is big business now, and doing things because my dad and grandfather did just doesn’t cut it.  It has given me the tools to see what the value-drivers are in my business and to do proper evaluation of opportunities.”
- Craig Lindholm, third-generation [...]

Springing into Agri-Tourism

You don’t have to look very far to see community events, festivals and celebrations springing up this time of year in communities across the country.
Travel and tourism is big business that can have positive impacts on small communities … and agri-tourism - tourism that takes place in rural areas, farms, ranches, etc. – offers an important opportunity to generate [...]

The Urban Farmer?

To many, the phrase ‘urban farmer’ is an oxymoron. 
But the notion of ‘urban agriculture’ has been around for decades and the concept  is used by the United Nations to develop safe, local food chains and generate employment for citizens in developing countries.
Today, urban agriculture is gaining popular momentum in urbanized settings as many metro centres recognize the [...]

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