Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2022
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Public Policy Leadership
First Advisor
David Rutherford
Second Advisor
Jody Holland
Third Advisor
Christian Sellar
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The research proposed in this thesis will identify the barriers of entry that
small farmers face when entering the Agricultural Industry. The proposed research will also seek to discover how having these barriers in place affects rural communities. This thesis conducts a literature review of the topic, sets the context for the research to be done, and proposes a research project to further investigate the topic. The proposed research will be done through administering a survey to stakeholders, and then interviewing a small sample of those surveyed to get a comprehensive look at the effects of agribusiness on rural communities. The literature review identifies the repercussions likely to occur if current trends in the agricultural industry and rural communities continue, specifically looking at employment, poverty, and community development. Knowledge has been identified as a key barrier to entry for many stakeholders attempting to enter the agricultural industry at any level. Producers have been forced out of the industry as a result of the growth of agribusiness. The effects of these stakeholders leaving the industry go far beyond just their economic stability as ripple effects are felt in rural communities across the country. These community members are often faced with difficult choices as their sources of income are driven away, and as a result, they must look for jobs outside of their communities. Trends in the Agricultural industry also have ripple effects into rural communities across the country, and as a result the policy surrounding Agribusiness must be addressed to create sustainable development for small farmers, and also rural communities. Without policy changes to address these issues rural America will continue to slip through the cracks.
Recommended Citation
Chandler, Lauren C., "Evaluating the Barriers of Entry that Small Commercial Farmers Face and the Implications of Such Barriers on Rural Communities" (2022). Honors Theses. 2719.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2719
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