With demand growing for locally-sourced food rather than major agricultural businesses, many small farms and entrepreneurs are seeing an uptick in business, reports Voice of America.

The local food revolution has resulted in a number of new farms and agricultural initiatives starting, and has also increased the business to small farms that aren't part of the industrial agricultural system, according to the news source. Even those without a background in agriculture are beginning to take an interest in setting up a farm, such as recent Duke graduate Emily Sloss, a public policy major who helped start a farm on campus. That farm now supplies over two tons of food to the local area.

Pockets of Opportunity Remain; Good Business Management is Key

After a very difficult few years, things are looking up.

The “Great Correction” that the country has been enduring the past few years was, unfortunately, inevitable. Too many consumers and businesses were over-exuberant for too long, relying on unsustainable profits and credit to drive their personal and corporate aspirations. While this isn’t news by any stretch, it does continue to drive how the economy rebounds and how that growth will progress for the coming years.

Farmers can expect to see a rise in corn plantings in 2012, says Informa Economics, a private analytical firm. According to Agriculture.com, Informa Economics had originally predicted this past October that 93.1 million acres would be planted. They're now revising that figure to 94 million acres.

Analysts suggest that this increased prediction is a result of the crop's improved net revenue prospects, giving farmers more of an incentive to increase production. The news provider also reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently estimated that farmers will have harvested 12.310 billion bushels of corn by this year's end.

In a sign that agriculture may be in the midst of an upswing, John Deere reported a fourth-quarter profit that topped estimates, thanks in no small part to farmers looking to purchase combines and tractors.

Automotive-mirror manufacturer Gentex announced recently that it would soon begin construction on a 140-acre factory in Zeeland Township, Mich. According to MLive.com, the project is the largest of its kind in township history and will create new job opportunities for the surrounding area.

Housing starts surged in the month of November, according to a report released by the Commerce Department, signaling that the construction market is stabilizing headed into 2012.

The National Association of Home Builders has revealed that builder confidence levels have reached their highest point since May 2010, after the Housing Market Index rose for the third consecutive month in December.

Metrics are an important component of agricultural business, assisting farmers in determining how well they're doing. Ultimately, one of the most important is crop return projections, which indicate how much of a return on investment farmers can expect from each type of crop they plant.

The primary harvesting period for corn in the Midwest is coming to an end, and by the time December rolls around, the season will be over. Winter is a crucial time for farmers and equipment operators, so it's important that you take a step back and evaluate your needs for the coming spring season.

IronPlanet makes it a breeze to liquidate your used farm equipment, giving you the funds and the opportunity to retool. Give some thought to trading up so you'll be ready to hit the ground running when spring rolls around. Newer equipment means faster and more efficient planting and harvesting, which can lead to better yields next year.

Finding a buyer for used construction equipment can be difficult through traditional means. Physical auctions may only be held a few times a year, and even then they might be limited to a particular region. This can shorten the list of potential buyers before the item even has a chance to go up on the block. Those looking for a faster turnaround may find what they're looking for at IronPlanet.