Farming is a business, as well as a way of life. Whole Farm Management is a comprehensive guide developed by the Small Farms Program at Oregon State University to help aspiring and beginner farmers make smart, strategic business decisions to ensure lasting success. In clear, accessible language, readers are led through every essential step, from developing a strategic plan to acquiring equipment, establishing infrastructure, finding markets, budgeting, managing day-to-day operations, and selecting a business structure for long-term viability. The emphasis throughout is on using sustainable agricultural systems and managing the whole farm, whether raising grass-based livestock, perennial food crops, or annual crops such as flowers. Case studies of successful farms, along with guidance and solutions to common problems from long-time farmers, round out this essential handbook.

This manual deals in two volumes with the practical aspects of management related to freshwater fish culture in earthen ponds. The first volume (FAO Training Series No. 21/1, 1996, ISBN 92-5-102873-7, US$51.00) explains how to manage the pond itself. This second volume deals with how to manage fish stocks and, as a whole, a fish farm. Fish handling, propagation, feeding, harvesting, grading and storage are explained in simple terms, as well as the prevention and treatment of simple fish diseases and the monitoring of fish farm activities.

In the tropics farmers have to work from a limited resource base which does not lend itself to highly productive crop and animal yields. The principles of farm management economics and the application of farm management analysis and planning can help small farmers in the tropics to produce 'a bit more' from their lots.

Chapter 1: Characteristics of agriculture. Chapter 2: managerial science in agricultural enterprises. Chapter 3: basic principles of economic analysis in the agricultural enterprise. Chapter 4: methods of obtaining information for analysis and planning of the agricultural enterprise. Chapter 5: standards of measurement for analyzing the agriculturalenterprise. Chapter 6: procedures for analyzing and planning the agricultural enterprise. Chapter 7: Farm management analysis in an integraleconomic development program. Chapter 8: using data on the agricultural enterprise as a guide for future planning. Chapter 9: indices or coefficients for analyzing alternative production lines. Chapter 10: evaluation alternate plans by means of comparative budgets.

This Occasional Paper presents the findings of a global review of farm management extension services. The specific intentions were to: (i) assess the current status of farm management training and extension programmes; (ii) identify constraints and issues; (iii) review the performance and impact; and (iv) propose recommendations for the improved provision of farm management extension advice.