Farm Viability: Results of the USDA Family Farm Surveys. Rural Development Research Report No. 60.

The financial well-being of farm households in 29 Mississippi and Tennessee counties in 1980 and 8 Wisconsin counties in 1982 were analyzed. More than 90 percent of families planning to leave farming were viable under economic conditions at survey time. Almost half of Wisconsin dairy farm households were not viable. Higher debt, younger operator age, and lower farm production efficiency were typical of the least viable households. Less than 20 percent of families with part-time farm operators and nondairy farms were not viable. The most severely stressed operated the largest and least profitable farms. Of families with full-time operators and smaller nondairy farms, 55 percent in Mississippi-Tennessee and 32 percent in Wisconsin were not viable. The typical farm was too small to support a household. Forty-two percent of families with full-time operators and larger nondairy farms were not viable. Production inefficiency and high interest costs aggravated income problems. Options suggested to improve farm family well-being included development of nonfarm job opportunities, vocational training to help younger operators change occupations, greater availability of credit, and commodity programs. (YLB)