PA Sustainable Agriculture, Chatham University: New Study Shows Direct-To-Consumer Markets Demonstrated Resilience, Growth During Pandemic

To understand the impact of the pandemic on Pennsylvania farmers, PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture collaborated with Chatham University in Pittsburgh to survey farmers about their 2020 season financials. 

Over 300 farmers completed the survey (thanks to all who participated!).

Initial forecasts predicted severe financial losses for small and mid-size farms as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted market channels nationwide. 

Early reports both confirmed and challenged these fears, as some farmers lost well-established markets overnight while others were able to expand their direct-to-consumer sales.

The study was published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development and demonstrated that direct-to-consumer sales helped many Pennsylvania farms weather the financial strains of the first year of the pandemic. 

Click Here to read the full study.

For more information on programs, initiatives, research, educational opportunities and how you can get involved, visit the PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates.  Click Here to become a member.

PASA works to build a more economically-just, environmentally-regenerative, and community-focused food system through education and research that directly supports farmers.

(Reprinted from PASA’s latest newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

[Posted: March 15, 2022]  PA Environment Digest