Resilient Family Farm : Supporting agricultural development and rural economic growth

This book includes development successes and failures, shares observations and lessons from the field, clarifies the challenges and realities of rural development work and provides guidance for donors and practitioners who understand that the complexities of smallholder farm life demand complete, rather than partial, responses and support.

The Resilient Family Farm is an interdisciplinary primer written for those who are involved in or who support rural development. Part I highlights the economic and ecological realities of the small family farm, while Part II examines the role of the development organization in supporting farm families who cope with these economic and environmental realities. In simple, straightforward language with photographs and illustrations, The Resilient Family Farm includes examples of development successes and failures, shares observations and lessons from the field, clarifies the challenges and realities of rural development work and provides guidance for donors and practitioners who understand that the rich inter-connectedness and complexities of smallholder farm life demand complete, rather than partial, responses and support. This is a clearly written, well illustrated, interdisciplinary book and makes an excellent practical primer, ideal for those going into the field for the first time. Gaye Burpee is Director of the Technical Services Unit at Catholic Relief Services. Kim Wilson is Senior Advisor for Microfinance, South Asia region, of Catholic Relief Services