| A survey of more than 150 small dairy farms and local economic, professional and political stakeholders was conducted in six regions of France. It revealed five types of farm strategy in relation to the farm’s size, agricultural diversification, importance of direct selling, and farm and household incomes. A “resource-based” approach shows that the sustainability of small farms is linked to economic, social and human resources. In this way the study shows the important part played by the household’s income and the farmer’s integration in the social fabric. This approach is complemented by an institutional approach: The sustainability of a small farm depends on local economic, professional and political institutions and an important role is played by the... |
