Small farms are defined here as those with product sales
of $40 000 or less before expenses are deducted, based on the value of a dollar
in 1995. Small farms accounted for half (or 139 000) of all Canadian census
farms in 1996. Many small farms are not making money, after subtracting operating
expanses from the gross farm revenue; the result is a financial loss. A great
number of small-farm operators, 64% reported income from non-farm wages or employment
income in 1996. The number of small farms decreased by 5.6% since 1991.
