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Common support for local agriculture in two contrasting Oregon communities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2007

Garry Stephenson  and
Larry Lev
Garry Stephenson*
Affiliation:
Extension Small Farm Program and Department of Anthropology, 1849 NW 9th Street, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA.
Larry Lev
Affiliation:
Extension Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: garry.stephenson@oregonstate.edu
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Abstract

One increasingly successful approach to enhancing small farm viability is for farmers to market their products directly to consumers and food-oriented businesses and institutions within their local area. This localized approach to food production and distribution is based on theoretical concepts often articulated as community, local or regional food systems. But is there sufficient consumer support to make local food systems viable? Do communities differ in their potential for developing a local food system based on their dominant socio-economic and/or political characteristics? This study reports on the results of a random mail survey of households in two Oregon communities. Although the two communities contrast socio-economically and politically, they show common but somewhat different support for local agriculture. The results demonstrate the potential for the development of more localized food systems in both communities. However, the type of products, their method of delivery and pricing will likely need to be tailored to fit each community.

Keywords

local food systemsfarm direct marketingconsumer preferences
Type
Review Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , December 2004 , pp. 210 - 217
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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