ABSTRACT
ASSESSING NEEDS AND MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR SMALL-SCALE
HISPANIC FARMERS IN MICHIGAN
By
Lourdes R. Martinez Romero
Hispanic farmers are the largest and fastest growing sector of minority farming groups in
the United States. They are categorized as “socially disadvantaged” and most operate “limited
resource” farms. In the Midwest, Michigan ranks first in the number of Hispanic farmers and,
despite overall indicators of economic expansion of the agricultural sector, Michigan Hispanic
farmers continue to show poor economic performance. The main objective of this dissertation is
to analyze Michigan Hispanic farmers’ access to, and participation in, federal, state and
community-based organizations and support programs that are designed to improve their farming
conditions. In addition, this dissertation analyzes farmers’ marketing experience and ability to
access local and regional markets that can increase farm income. Finally, the third objective is to
analyze the use of social connections to access relevant marketing information in order to
improve farm management.
This dissertation followed a case study approach. In total, 50 Hispanic farmers were
identified using a combination of key informants and snowball sampling techniques. The data
collection strategy included structured in-depth interviews and group meetings, surveys of farm
and demographic characteristics, and participant observations. Results included qualitative and
quantitative analyses which were organized in three different essays. The first essay presents the
current social and farming conditions of Hispanic farmers in Michigan – their need for
production and marketing assistance and support, and their level of access to this assistance from
federal, state or community-based organizations. The second essay explores Hispanic farmers’
marketing experience, skills, and expectations for the future. The objective is to identify farmers’
specific marketing needs and limitations, and areas in which government and community-based
agents could assist these farmers’ efforts to improve their marketing opportunities. Finally, the
third essay illustrates the importance of social and business connections so that Hispanic farmers
have more access to marketing information. In order to succeed and remain competitive in agrofood
value chains, Hispanic farmers need to focus on mechanisms to access such important
information.
The results suggest that Hispanic farmers in this sample generally do not use the
resources available to them, and those who most need it are less likely to participate in programs
designed to support their farm endeavors. While Hispanic farmers have been able to access local
markets over the years, they still struggle with identifying and accessing new markets, and rely
heavily on single-market strategies that increase dependence on these markets. They have not
defined a marketing objective that would guide their efforts to improve their farm viability.
Nevertheless, these farmers have an extensive network that can become a method to overcome
marketing limitations. Nonetheless, they still face issues of limited connections outside their
local markets, and lack of trust among other Hispanic farmers. Coordinated policies and outreach
efforts among farmers, extension and NGO agents can help Hispanic farmers increase their
participation in local value chains, and improve their farm viability