Diversity in U.S. Agriculture: A New Delineation by Farming Characteristics

Judith E. Sommer and Fred K. Hines

No 308152, Agricultural Economic Reports from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: Cluster analysis groups 2,972 farming-defined counties into 12 clusters that reveal patterns of agricultural production across America. The authors of this report describe the 12 clusters that are relatively homogeneous with respect to three dimensions: farm enterprise, farm resources, and farm-nonfarm linkages. Minimizing diversity within a cluster allows analysis of a specific economic force or public policy change on clusters with specific characteristics or comparison of differential effects of shocks across various clusters. Such a delineation offers a starting point for assessing regional differences in the effects of alternative public policies on the farm sector.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Crop Production/Industries; Livestock Production/Industries; Research Methods/Statistical Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23
Date: 1991-07
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uerser:308152

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.308152

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