It is a common trend, according to the latest census, in many parts of the country- large farms are declining, but small farms are quickly increasing in numbers. It is no different in New England. Vineyards and farms are snatching up fewer acres, and finding success.

“The face of farming is changing here,” Westport Vineyards owner Rob Russell told the East Bay. “The type of farms that you see emerging are smaller, sometimes operated as a second job or by retirees who are generally looking to grow things they can sell directly to the customer.”

Farmers believe their success is mostly from the concern people have about where there food comes from. In the recent years there have been many food scares, people want to know what they are eating is safe.

“Food from local farms travels less distance, is less processed, less touched,” Lydon Family Tomatoes’ owner Mike Lydon said. He thinks people have more confidence in food grown by local people instead of relying on government inspectors to catch problems.

The vice president of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, Tyler Young, added, “We still can’t rely on the small growers to supply all that we need, but I think it is a wonderful trend.”

Young noted that the drastic change is heavily influenced by the increase cost of factors such as fuel and other supplies.

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