The “Sweet Spot” in the Middle: Why Do Mid-Scale Farms Adopt Diversification Practices at Higher Rates?

In the past few decades, farmers and researchers have firmly established that biologically diversified farming systems improve ecosystem services both on off farm, producing economic benefits for ecological surrounding landscapes. However, adoption of these practices has been slow, requiring a more nuanced examination barriers opportunities to rates. While previous research demonstrated individual structural factors shape farmers' decisions about whether adopt diversification practices, this study aims understand interaction factors, how they relate farm scale. Based 20 interviews with organic lettuce growers Central Coast California, as well 8 technical assistance providers who work growers, we constructed typology help elucidate distinct contexts growers' practices. This typology, which reflects influence land rent supply chains, divides into three categories: limited resource, mid-scale diversified, or wholesale. context, resource wholesale experience significant constrain while some found “sweet spot” managing agroecosystems can succeed in terms. The key enabling allow choose diversification, however, are not directly related their size, but do secure tenure, adequate access capital resources, buyers share values willing pay premium. By focusing targeted policies, believe it is possible encourage farms at variety scales within California's Coast.