Ecological, economic, and organizational dimensions of organic farming in Miami-Dade County
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Major/Program
Environmental Studies
First Advisor's Name
David Bray
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Chair
Second Advisor's Name
Krishnaswamy Jayachandran
Third Advisor's Name
Mahadev Bhat
Date of Defense
11-7-2006
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to determine what challenges small-scale organic farmers face in choosing their particular production, marketing, and organizational strategies in Miami-Dade County. Rapid soil assessments were used on six organic farms to determine the effects of soil nutrient management in terms of pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and phosphorus (P). Potential costs of inputs were documented for each farm to determine the largest challenges facing the profitability of organic farms. A production, marketing, and organizational analysis determined how farmers shape their inter-farm competitive and cooperative relations. Preliminary findings from soil, input, labor, marketing, and organizational factors indicate that soil health varies dramatically from farm to farm, inputs and labor constitute significant costs, and marketing, production, and organizational strategies show no signs of immediate growth.
Identifier
FI14051175
Recommended Citation
Bobeche, Giddy, "Ecological, economic, and organizational dimensions of organic farming in Miami-Dade County" (2006). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1697.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1697
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