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.…

Illustrating that their roles are as diverse as non-farm women, four short articles give new perspectives on farm women: the numbers and types of farms run by women, an historical review of women on the farm, the non-farm jobs many work at, and the specific farm activities they are responsible for. (NEC)

Small farmers are a diverse group, ranging from part-time hobbyists with good off-farm jobs to full-time operators. General rural development policies, rather than traditional farm policies, may be the best method to help those small farmers who earn insufficient income. (JHZ)

Discusses three alternatives to the standard definition of the farm population as the farm resident population. Alternatives are farm occupation population, farm income population, and total farm-related population. Points out shortcomings, advantages, and appropriate uses for each definition. Notes population characteristics and the overlaps and…

Describes programs designed to help farm families who are forced to leave agriculture because of financial reasons. Includes federal, state, and local government programs that address the need for counseling, legal and technical assistance, financial assistance during the transition to nonfarm work, and skills assessment and job search assistance.…

A study of farm operator households indicates that although women participate in farm management, men still manage the majority of farms; women farm operators spend fewer hours in farm and off-farm work than men; and when women work in off-farm employment, the household has a higher average income. (LP)

Discusses history of United States government programs to ameliorate rural living and economic conditions. Contrasts early successful efforts to improve physical characteristics--road, electricity--with recent lack of success in dealing with intractable problems--unemployment, persistent poverty. Chart of rural development actions outlines rural…