04/10/2009 2009 04/10/2009 06/04/2009 240 There are Open Source projects to develop software for all sorts of specialized uses. Indeed, there are complete Linux distributions for K-12 schools, for libraries, for geographers, for musicians, and so on. But, there is very little available specifically for small farmers in the Open Source world. In this talk, we will discuss the reasons for this and ways of changing the situation. In particular, we will discuss: * The differing needs of different types of farms * Similarities between farm culture and Open Source culture * Software requirements: What applications do farmers need? * What applications already exist? * What applications need to be created? * How should software by packaged for farmers? The author will discuss these and other issues from the point of view of someone who grew up on a small traditional farm, and spent his career in Open Source Software, and is now farming again.