During the past 30 years rural America as a whole has become more diversified, significantly reducing its vulnerability to changes in natural resource markets, commodity prices, and farm polices. This is not the case for farm-dependent rural counties--or for individuals elsewhere--whose economic fortunes are directly tied to agriculture.…

A 1981 mail survey revealed evaluations by 701 Alabama farmers of recent life experiences in farming and expectations for life quality in the future as a function of farm structural characteristics were more important determinants of well-being than were farm structure dimensions. (NEC)

Farm and ranch operators in North Dakota (n=933) and Texas (n=1,020) were randomly surveyed in 1985 to determine the relationship of financial conditions to levels of off-farm employment by farm operators and spouses. The overall response rate was 75%. Off-farm employment was measured by number of days the farmer or spouse was employed off of the…

The Neugarten Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA) was completed by 760 randomly selected farm residents in an upper midwest state. Significant differences were found between mean LSIA scores according to subjects' education level and income but not age or gender. Generally, as education and income level increased, life satisfaction increased. (JHZ)

Uses data from survey of 880 Kentucky farm women to present theoretical framework integrating microsocial, household economy, and farm structural perspectives to explain gender allocation of farm-specific tasks and decision making. Finds self-identity validated by participation in farm tasks/decision making, but, overall, women indicate low levels…

Five farms in Union County in extreme southern Illinois were studied in depth, and about 100 more were briefly surveyed to ascertain how the farm women's roles have changed over the years. Well into the twentieth century, the male and female domains on these farms were relatively well defined. Within the barn and its yards, the husband had primary…

Uses national-level secondary data to examine economic/sociological experiences of United States farmers from 1960-1980's. Examines farm size, farm policy, risk, management, income, economic stress, social goals, population shifts, and part-time farming. Finds life-style and well-being contribute more than economic characteristics to farmer…

Examines impact of farm women's paid off-farm work experience on their marital adjustment and stability. Finds survey of Louisiana farm households does not provide clear support for either status competition or status enhancement models. Discusses implications of findings in context of recent increases in part-time farming. (LFL)

Data from a 1982 state-wide survey of 764 Louisiana farm households were analyzed to assess the relationship between conjugal work-role arrangements and four dimensions of farm family life: socio-demographic characteristics, scale and type of farm operation, farm and household decision-making and allocation of tasks, and subjective aspects of farm…

Women's participation in family farm labor has been underestimated. A study of small farms in rural Quebec during 1978 measured laborer characteristics, time spent on activities, distribution of responsibility, and extent of household production. Results indicate that women's direct and indirect contributions must be integrated into agricultural…

The opinions of 1,585 Iowa farmers about 8 emergent agricultural technologies (energy production from feed grains and oils; energy production from livestock waste; genetic engineering research on plants, livestock, and humans; robotics for on-farm use; confinement livestock facilities; and personal computers for farm families) were found to be…

Researchers explored farm women's economic contributions to the family farm--an economic contribution traditionally underestimated or ignored--employing use value production as an indicator of labor. Active labor, usually defined as commodity production, was broadened to include value production, or all activity contributing to making a living.…

Rural Economics: Farmers in Transition (RE:FIT), the Dislocated Farmer Assistance Program in Ohio, was designed to help farm families assess their skills and interests in nonfarm employment. The processes used by agents in counseling families were evaluated. The program was designed by personnel of the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) to…

During the second year of a 3-year study involving 112 Iowa farm families, mothers of children aged 4 to 10 years old expressed expectations of independence, responsibility, and hard work from their children during home interviews. The importance of the parent-child relationship together with the lack of sufficient child-rearing research on rural…

Although rural education is entering an era of opportunity in terms of both youth and adult needs, the capacity of rural areas to provide needed educational services may be diminished due to rapid economic and social change, particularly in agriculture. Three federal policies operating over the past two decades have created an unfavorable…