James Farmer

James Farmer is an Associate Professor at Indiana University's Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where he directs the Food and Agrarian Systems Program at the Ostrom Workshop and co-directs the IU Campus Farm. His research focuses on small and mid-size dairy farms and rural communities in the Midwestern United States.

Farmer's primary research interests include sustainable agriculture, dairying and pastoralism, rural landscapes, organic farming narratives, and food systems. His work examines how farmers make decisions about transitioning to organic production, with particular attention to narratives around farm-family legacy, economic values, environmental values, and religious stewardship.

His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on agricultural systems in the Midwest, with recent work analyzing narrative frameworks that influence organic farming decisions, high tunnel technology adoption, farm succession, and food access for low-income communities. His research often employs mixed methods approaches combining quantitative surveys with qualitative insights from farmers.

• Narratives as influencers on organic production perspectives (2023)
• Barriers and opportunities to certified organic grain production (2022)
• Socioeconomic threats are more salient to farmers than environmental threats (2021)

Farmer has secured funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture for projects related to organic farming adoption. His research has practical implications for agricultural extension services, policy development, and farmer-to-farmer learning programs focused on sustainable agriculture practices.