Cover Story - BIG or small: Which farm model is most economically sustainable?


While small farms have been declining in number and those with $500,000-plus revenues growing, the biggest drop has been in mid-range operations. Agricultural policy must take account of these trends and not lump small and large together


by Mary Baxter



Blake Vince describes himself as a small farmer within a large farm operation. The 38-year-old partners with his father Elwin and his uncle, Tom, to grow 1,400 acres of corn, soybeans and winter wheat near Merlin in Chatham-Kent.