THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO MAXIMIZE THE ABILITY OF SMALL-SCALE FARM OPERATIONS IN MISSOURI TO IMPROVE IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND OVERALL WELFARE. THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ARE:1) ESTIMATE AND ANALYZE SMALL FARMERS' RISK PERCEPTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC; 2) INFORM IF SMALL FARMERS USE COPING MECHANISMS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO INCREASE FARM SURVIVAL; 3) DETERMINE WHICH SMALL FARMERS REQUESTED AND RECEIVED EXTERNAL SUPPORT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC; 4) MEASURE THE CHANGE IN MARKETING CHANNEL CHOICE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC; 5) EXPLAIN VARIABILITY IN FARM PRODUCTION, PROFITABILITY, AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY IN TERMS OF RISK PERCEPTION, RESILIENCE, EXTERNAL SUPPORT, MARKETING CHANNEL CHOICE, AND FARM AND FARM OPERATOR CHARACTERISTICS.IN ADDITION, THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR POLICYMAKING TO HELP SMALL FARMERS MAINTAIN LONG-TERM RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY. IT ALSO WILL STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH ABILITY OF LINCOLN UNIVERSITY TO SUBMIT A STANDARD GRANT BUILDING ON THIS PROJECT.