Total farm population has continued to decrease; the April 1968 average of 10,454,000 persons reflected an estimated drop of 421,000 since April 1967. The regional distribution remained the same, however, with the largest concentration in the South, about 45 percent, while the North Central Region ranked second with 39 percent. During 1967-1968,…

Uses data from 1980 Farm Women Survey to show that men without direct farm labor of wife are not worse off economically than men with this help, independent women farmers are worse off than women on other farms, and class position explains only some of this difference among women. (NEC)

Eight Colorado farm families were interviewed about the occupational health and safety risks they face. Four themes were identified: risks, obstacles, motivators, and supports. The important role played by farm families in motivating farmers to be attentive to safety issues should be fully explored in the design, packaging, and delivery of farm…

According to the definition of the Social Security Administration, a family of four was considered "poor" when their total annual income was less than $3,000. In 1955, the Household Food Consumption Survey found that all families spent one-third of their annual income on food, regardless of place of residence and income level, and farmers produced…

Among 258 Midwestern male farmers and ranchers (average age 49), 87 percent coped with problems and difficulties by having faith in God. Respondents generally were reluctant to accept help from professionals, neighbors, or relatives, and were confident in their own abilities to solve their difficulties independently. Contains 22 references.…

This document presents data from phase one of a three-phase study examining suicide rates among farm residents in five states (Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin) between 1980 and 1985. The first phase is described as involving identification of suicide cases and an initial analysis of their causes. The report contains a…

Control over land, a scarce resource for farmers, is found to be the source of women's power in a community of Illinois farm families. Women appear to make a trade-off of lower status and less power for male management of the family enterprise, which assures them a financially secure widowhood. (Author)

Examined farm children's work contribution to the household and farming operation, as reported by their mothers (N=263). Results showed that children began working at a very early age, and continued through adolescence. All adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 years helped with farm chores; fewer helped with household chores. (Author)

Describes the experiences of one farm family over an eight year period: loss of a farm, move to another distant farm, and accidental death of a family member. Discusses multigenerational expectations, feelings of failure, threats to self-esteem, locus of control conflicts, effects of grief and vulnerability, and coping resources. (SV)

On July 22, 1971, the subcommittee initiated the hearings, noting that "the problems of the most severely disadvantaged people in rural America--migrant and seasonal farmworkers--cannot be described, much less solved, unless examined in the light of the larger difficulty in agricultural America--rural poverty." Questions set forth at…

Examined prevalence of stress symptoms among 808 farm men and women, identified occupational stressors associated with high stress levels, and provided diagnostic indicants of symptoms most predictive of overall high stress levels. Revealed that farmers were experiencing various occupational stressors and were showing numerous symptoms. Findings…

This paper examines non-human loss and its psychological effect upon rural people. It discusses the absence of any ritual response to loss, including farm loss, that would otherwise benefit the loss victims or the surrounding society. The dilemma is comparable to that of the "transitional person," the immigrant experience following World…

In April 1968, approximately 10,454,000 persons lived on farms in the United States--about one person in every 19. The farm population had declined steadily from 1960 and dropped 3.9 percent from 1967 to 1968. From 1960 to 1968, there continued to be more males than females living on farms, and the number of farm children under 14 years of age…

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)

This issue of the "Goldfinch" focuses on the family farm of the past. All aspects of farm life are covered: what was grown on farms, how the chores were done and who was responsible for them, what the houses were like, and what tools and equipment were used. Comparisons are made between modern farms and farms of 50 or 150 years ago, and…