Purpose - This paper addressed the management in families farming and investigated if the values in functional management are appropriate to assess their practices. The study aimed to analyze how family farmers conduct their management process based on values that guide their actions in farm management. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research had followed a semi-structured script with 124 farmers surveyed from the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The data were analyzed using an interpretative approach, which helped the operationalization of these qualitative analyzes. Findings Results have evidenced that climate factors have influenced decisions on the type of crop to grow and period of cultivation. The incomes related to the commercialization of the products, are not enough to support the families, but they contribute to their food security. Originality/value The types of management and production are guided by traditional values. The farmers' perspective is to guarantee the survival of the family and the maintenance of the farm. Farmers do not understand that family farming is a business such as employer agriculture and use hybrid forms of management between the functionalist and emancipatory perspectives.
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