Agricultural Change: Consequences for Southern Farms and Rural Communities

The rise and fall of new commodities, production technologies, and shifting government policies have had dramatic effects on the lives of generations of farm families in the rural South. This book examines both the impact of such changes on individuals and families and the interrelationship between agricultural change and community change. The contributors look at how and why the mix of farms–small, medium, large, and part-time–has been transformed and consider the differing needs of these types of farm operations, the special problems of minority farmers, the farming strategies that are most resilient to external shocks, and the interdependence of rural communities and the region’s farmers. They also review the main external sources of change, including government fiscal and monetary policies that shape interest rates and govern export possibilities. The book contributes to our understanding of the kinds of communities and quality of life that will be experienced by the next generation of southern farmers.