Initial forecasts predicted severe financial losses for small and midsized farmers as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted usual market channels nationwide. Early reports both confirmed and challenged these fears, as some farmers could not find new markets while others established or expanded their direct-to-consumer sales to replace their lost outlets. To understand the impact of the pandemic on Pennsylvania farmers across the entire 2020 growing season, we partnered with Chatham University to survey farmers and performed interviews with a subset of these farmers.

Over 300 farmers were surveyed. Just under half the farmers (42%) reported a loss of revenue, while over half (58%) reported either no change or an increase in revenue in 2020. Findings from the study were published in the Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development.

Download the article for a breakdown of the numbers and an analysis of the data.