| cross the United States, today's farm operators face continuing challenges from global competition, increasing production costs, changing technology, increased regulations, scarce resources, and lower profit margins. To face these challenges, farm operators need to gather and utilize information allowing them to make informed decisions. Several studies have been conducted that have documented the use of information systems for farm management activities on large farms. But little has been done to identify the information systems used on small farms particularly the diverse mix of farms that make up Pennsylvania small farming. The Commonwealth has more than 58,000 farms with approximately 14,000 of these farms recording gross agricultural receipts of less than... |
