Many Small Farmers Predict Bankruptcy by the End of the Year

As peak harvest season approaches, about a third of small farmers expect that their short-chain food business will not survive to continue production in 2021.

2 minute read

May 27, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


Organic Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture / Flickr

In an interview with chef and restaurant co-owner Dan Barber, Karen Stabiner examines the state and fate of small farmers, and what consumers can do to support them and reshape U.S. food culture. According to a recent survey of 240 farmers conducted by Barber and Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, between 30% and 40% of farmers predict that a potential 50% decrease in sales at restaurants and farmers' markets, and bankruptcy by the end of 2020. 

Alternative means for selling produce like boxes and delivery, while successful in the short-term, won't be a solution in the summer during peak harvest. Farmers can't sustain the volume and pay for the cost of labor, reports Stabiner. If farmers' fears of bankruptcy are realized, many will not recover. "If they’re right, the virus will take out much of a generation and leave the market ripe for takeover by larger operations," writes Stabiner. 

"This is a moment for standing up and digging in for what we want, and not allowing big food to take the market back," Barber says. Right now, that includes calling in all forces to help with the summer harvest, including out of work restaurant employees. Barber's vision includes a redefinition of the 'farm to table' framework where farmers and restaurants work together to prepare the harvest on a local scale. 

Barber reminds consumers to vote with their dollars by supporting local farmers and restaurants that enable this vision of a redefined food culture and find innovative ways to get farmers' food on the table. 

Monday, May 18, 2020 in The Counter

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business