How SDARL Sparked a Research Project on Agricultural Resilience

Submitted by Nick Passone (Class XII)

How did SDARL impact this project?

Growing up in Europe, I saw how agricultural policy shapes the daily reality of farmers and ranchers. Subsidies, regulations, and support programs influence decisions in the field, investment strategies, and even long-term survival. When I moved to the U.S., I noticed that the balance between market forces and policy support was stronger here.

When I started SDARL, and we discussed the many pressures facing agriculture, such as input costs, weather variability, or scarce resources, I did not initially view policy as a central challenge. It seemed stable, almost in the background compared to market volatility and other forces.

That perspective began to shift when we traveled to Argentina. There, policies often place a heavier fiscal burden on producers rather than offering direct support. What struck me most, however, was not simply the structure of the policies but the mindset of the farmers we met. Several expressed that they did not want government support because, in their view, it compromises their freedom of decision-making. They preferred autonomy, even in a less supportive policy environment (we see here at home that many producers would like this as well, but the policy environment has reshaped the market, making it hard not to be involved).

Seeing the resilience and adaptability of those producers forced me to reflect more critically on my own assumptions. I began to wonder whether stability created by supportive policies might also foster dependence. Have we, by trying to reduce risk, unintentionally reduced the ability to absorb economic or policy shocks? And how much of resilience is built not by protection, but by necessity?

That experience reshaped how I think about agricultural policy, not simply as a tool for support, but as a force that can influence producers' mindset, risk tolerance, and long-term adaptability. At the end of the day, we want the best environment for producers and to increase the chances of maintaining freedom of decision and the ability to live from the land they selflessly tend.

Resilience project:

This reflection led me to start a project with Dr. Oscar Sarasty at South Dakota State University to assess U.S. producers' resiliency and perceived challenges. We are launching a research project examining how agricultural policies influence producers’ management decisions and their vulnerability to economic and policy shocks. Our objective is to better understand the indirect and often-overlooked effects that different policy environments may have on farm decision-making, risk management strategies, and long-term resilience.

At this stage, we are seeking to include producers operating under a range of policy frameworks around the world, from highly subsidized systems (Europe) to those with limited or no direct government support (Argentina). Including diverse perspectives will allow us to more effectively compare how policy structures shape production strategies, investment behavior, and resilience outcomes.

We would greatly value producers' participation in this research and would be happy to share additional details regarding the project, data confidentiality, and expected time commitments.

If you are willing to participate in the survey, please click the button below, or scan the QR code. Thank you very much for your time.

Take Survey