ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND SMALL FAMILY FARMS

THE SMALL FAMILY FARM IN WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED. NUMEROUS STUDIES HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE DECLINE OFFAMILY FARM, THE AGING POPULATION, AND MIGRATION FROM THE FAMILY FARM. WHEN A FARM FAMILY LEAVES THE FARM, MANY PEO- PLE FROM THE SMALL TOWN ARE WITHOUT A SOCIAL FUNCTION SO THEY TOO MIGRATE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO RESEARCHWITH FARM FAMILIES ALTERNATIVES TO THIS MIGRATION BY SHOWINGTHEM OTHER CROPS OR ENTERPRISES WHICH WILL YIELD THE NECES- SARY INCOME THROUGH WHICH THEY CAN MAINTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF LIVING AND CONTINUE TO LIVE ON THE FARM AND HELPTO ARREST THE DECLINE OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY. THE COOPERA- TIVE PROPOSES TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND DEMONSTRATE NEW OP- PORTUNITIES FOR ITS MEMBER FARMERS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED A WILLINGNESS TO INVEST THEIR MONEY, TIME AND LABOR IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THE FOUR CROPS IDENTIFIED ARE SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS, MARIGOLDS, CATFISH, AND AMARANTH. PHASE I PROPOSES TO TEST PRODUCTION IN A SIXTEE-COUNTY AREA BY INTERESTED PRODUCERS TO DETERMINE FEASIBILITY FORM THE STANDPOINT OF SUITABILITY TO THE AREA, RESOURCES REQUIRED, AND MARKET POTENTIAL.