I'm sure those big farmers can't imagine doing all the little things that we do and doing them for so small of a return. They recognize that direct marketing is near impossible for bigger farms and many commodities. And they recognize that direct marketing and raising animals produces headaches and time demands that most farmers don't want. The experts haven't helped us before. We're exploring that maybe the best option for saving family farms is to get small.
Small farms can make adaptations to direct marketing and finding their niche.
The Jacobsons, who have 500 tillable acres, prefer that their farming operation is a quilt of many small pieces. Like a mutual fund, that approach reduces risk. It also fits with their personalities of multiple interests. And, it adds to the quality of their life. I can't imagine being a farmer who sits in an office and manages workers.