Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1. -- 1. Agriculture and the economy: -- Trade ; Agricultural industries ; The structure of agriculture ; Regional distinctions ; The power of policy ; Summary -- 2. Problems in U.S. agriculture: The farm economy ; Trade ; Natural resources -- 3. Research and science: -- Crop rotation ; Plant nutrients ; Livestock ; Pest control in crops -- Economic evaluation of alternative farming systems: -- Economic assessments of alternative methods ; Alternative pest management strategies ; Alternative animal disease prevention strategies ; Studies of diversification strategies ; Impact of government policy. Part 2. The case studies: -- 1. Crop and livestock farming in Ohio: the Spray Brothers -- 2. A mixed crop and livestock farm in Southwest Iowa: the BreDahl Farm -- 3. A diversified crop and livestock farm in Virginia: the Sabot Hill Farm -- 4. A mixed crop and livestock farm in Pennsylvania: the Kutztown Farm -- 5. Crop-livestock farming in Iowa: the Thompson Farm -- 6. Tree fruits, walnuts, and vegetables in California: the Ferrari Farm -- 7. Florida fresh-market vegetable production: integrated pest management -- 8. Fresh grapes in California and Arizona: Stephen Pavich & Sons -- 9. Integrated pest management in processing tomatoes in California: the Kitamura Farm -- 10. Livestock farming in Colorado: Coleman Natural Beef -- 11. Rice production in California: the Lundberg Family Farms. Case studies of eleven farming operations across the United States test the economic impacts of alternative agricultural practices such as integrated pest management, crop rotation, manure management, low-density animal production systems, and crop diversification. Impact of U.S. federal regulations and policies on alternative farming is also considered.