Small farms are prominently featured in increasingly popular food marketing channels, such as farmers markets and food hubs. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, however, suggest that most small farms are not financially viable without additional off-farm income. Few studies have examined finances at time periods finer than an annual scale for these types of farms. To gain a more detailed understanding of financial viability, this study analyzed net farm income and interview data conducted at the end of the growing season to gather information on farmer demographics, farm incomes and business strategies. Net farm incomes in the study ranged from $-2,172 to $69,255. Those with more experience, and who were better at tracking their labor and finances, were more likely to achieve higher net farm income. Farmer interviews revealed value themes that play an important role when considering economic viability of small farms. Analysis of the strategies reported by more successful farmers suggests that the use of high value crops, niche marketing channels, and a focus on reducing input costs may be effective ways to improve small farm viability. As one component of strengthening regional food systems, efforts to increase the financial viability of small farms may benefit from implementing policies that reduce barriers to these strategies.
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