The aims of this study were to assess which variables are crucial for the incorporation of technological innovations in family farms, and identify the characteristics of the technologies employed and their impacts. The survey was conducted in western Santa Catarina, using a questionnaire to collect data on 59 family farms. The farms were classified into three groups according to the number and characteristics of the technological innovations employed. Data were statistically analyzed using multivariate Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The gross income obtained from farming activities (Income Breeding) and obtained with agricultural activities (Agriculture Income) were the response variables used in the analyzes. The explanatory variables considered were age and educational level the producer, working capital, land area, membership in cooperatives, internet access, use of credit, units of family labor and non-agricultural incomes. The results indicate that the farms with higher farm income and breeding, associated with greater availability of land area, the property capital and high education of gesture are the most innovative, while those that present low level of innovation are linked to the development of activities non-agricultural.