Classifying Conventional and Sustainable Farmers

Abstract

Researchers often compare sustainable farms with conventional farms in order to better understand sustainable farming. Unfortunately, the literature lacks a standard set of criteria for classifying farms. The present research analyzed data from a survey of North Dakota farmers to empirically compare nine approaches to classification. These classifications were modestly intercorrelated and had similar relations to four farm/farmer characteristics (number of acres farmed, net income per acre farmed, views on farm policy, and number of organizational memberships), but the different classifications were not directly interchangeable and appear to reflect quasi-independent dimensions associated with chemical use and tillage practices. It does matter how you measure.