Supporting Agricultural Development and Rural Economic Growth:
Excellent practical primer. Ideal book for those going into the field for the first time. Clearly written, well illustrated, interdisciplinary, vital.
"The Resilient Family Farm" is an interdisciplinary primer written for those who are involved in or who support rural development. Part I highlights the economic and ecological realities of the small family farm, while Part II examines the role of the development organization in supporting farm families who cope with these economic and environmental realities.
In simple, straightforward language with photographs and illustrations, "The Resilient Family Farm" includes examples of development successes and failures, shares observations and lessons from the field, clarifies the challenges and realities of rural development work and provides guidance for donors and practitioners who understand that the rich inter-connectedness and complexities of smallholder farm life demand complete, rather than partial, responses and support.
Gaye Burpee is Director of the Technical Services Unit at Catholic Relief Services.
Kim Wilson is Senior Adviiiisor for Microfinance, South Asia region, of Catholic Relief Services.
Contents: Introduction: PART I--UNDERSTANDING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOMENT AND RURAL ECONOMIC GROWTH 1 Farm families and their social environment 2 Farm families and their natural environment 3 The family farm as an agricultural system 4 The family farm as an economic system Part 2 -- SUPPORTING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOMENT AND RURAL ECONOMIC GROWTH 5 Renaissance farming: Approaches to farm family support 6 The ripple effect: Agricultural extension services 7 Barn-raising: Support for building farm assets 8 Inspiring growth: Developing farm enterprises 9 Going to market: Support in selling farm products 10 Banking on the family: financial services to farm families 11 Speaking truth to power: Advocacy for the family farm 12 Breaking the rules: The family farm in crisis Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Index
Published by Practical Action Gaye Burpee , Kim Wilson June 2004 192 pp., 6 1/8" x 9 1/4"
The Resilient Family Farm 
Supporting Agricultural Development and Rural Economic Growth: