** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE SUCCESS OF SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS DEPENDS ON 1.2 MILLION WOMEN PRODUCERS WHOSE NUMBERS GREW BY 27 PERCENT BETWEEN 2012 AND 2017. THIS PROJECT WILL FILL IN A GAP IN ECONOMIC RESEARCH ON WOMEN PRIMARY AND NON-PRIMARY (E.G., SPOUSE) PRODUCERS ON SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS. WE WILL EMPLOY A COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH FRAMEWORK TO IDENTIFY THE CHALLENGES AND GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR WHITE AND MINORITY WOMEN FARMERS IN TRADITIONAL AND EMERGING AGRICULTURAL SECTORS IN THE SOUTHEAST. WE WILL USE FARM-LEVEL DATA FROM THE AGRICULTURAL CENSUS AND ARMS TO MAP AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES AND NICHE MARKETS THAT ATTRACT WOMEN PRODUCERS IN THE REGION. SUBSEQUENT EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS WILL EMPLOY NOVEL ECONOMETRIC TECHNIQUES TO EVALUATE HOW ACCESS TO CAPITAL, LAND, HEALTHCARE NETWORKS, AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AFFECT WOMEN FARMERS' OBJECTIVES (PROFITABILITY AS WELL AS FAMILY OBLIGATIONS), BUSINESS STRATEGIES, AND PRODUCTIVITY. WE WILL ALSO CONDUCT TWO REGIONAL SURVEYS TARGETING CURRENT AND FORMER WOMEN PRODUCERS ON SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS TO COLLECT MORE NUANCED INFORMATION TO COMPARE THE OBJECTIVE CENSUS DATA WITH THE SUBJECTIVE WOMEN FARMERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR NEEDS AND CHALLENGES. OUR RESULTS WILL PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO HOW ACCESS TO RESOURCES (LAND, CAPITAL, AND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE), SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS AFFECT WOMEN FARMERS' OPERATIONS. RESULTS WILL ALSO HELP WOMEN IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR OPERATIONS AND OFFER INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPACT OF COVID-19. THIS PROPOSAL RESPONDS TO THE CALL TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF OPERATIONS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS AND TO INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS.