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Product development for small scale farms
Thesis   Open access

Product development for small scale farms

Samson Walker Shepherd
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4254
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Abstract

Farms, Small--United States Agricultural engineering--United States Mechanical Engineering
This thesis focuses on the applicability of implementing a formalized product development method on small scale farms in the development of agricultural tools to improve farm productivity. Small scale farmers are a growing population within the agricultural community yet there is limited tooling available for farms of this scale. Previous development strategies for this scale of tooling have been impulse driven or disconnected from the very farmers the product strives to help. The objectives of this research are to: (1) Evaluate the applicability of implementing a formalized product development method on small scale farms, (2) Identify areas of the process that can be refined to better meet the needs of small scale farmers and (3) Design and manufacture an agricultural device intended to improve productivity on these farms. These objectives were tested through the participatory implementation of Ulrich and Eppinger's formalized product development method with Hillside Farm in Media, PA. The results of implementing these methods in conjunction with the farmers at Hillside Farm are: (1) An evaluation of the applicability of product development methods on small scale farms, (2) Areas of refinement in Ulrich and Eppinger's methodology to better meet the needs of small scale farmers and (3) A comprehensive set of open source agricultural work-cart designs. Tools developed making use of a product development method will last longer, cost less to manufacture and better meet the needs of small scale farmers.

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