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• 1. [Article] Determinants of off-farm labor supply among farm households in the north Willamette Valley

  Financial stress in agriculture has been a concern over the past century. Agrarian values and "love of the land" seem to yield public conclusions for the support of the industry. Much of this support is in ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Determinants of off-farm labor supply among farm households in the north Willamette Valley Author: Doyle, Douglas J., 1963- Financial stress in agriculture has been a concern over the past century. Agrarian values and "love of the land" seem to yield public conclusions for the support of the industry. Much of this support is in the interest of preserving a viable food producing sector in an volatile world climate. High interest rates, declining land values and highly competitive export markets have spurred renewed concern for farm survival in the past ten years. One alternative to traditional price supports and tariffs for farm household support is off-farm income. This may take many forms including off-farm wages and salaries, rental income, interest and dividend income and, retirement or pension funds. Central to the analysis of nonfarm income generation is the allocation of time by farm households. For farmers who place a high value on the farm lifestyle, occupational choice is embedded in the time decision to such an extent that the resource allocations based on economic efficiency criteria may be altered. Tobit techniques offer a new approach to the analysis of farm household decisions on time allocation. The procedure allows the investigator to estimate and evaluate parameters that may affect the amount of off-farm work by farm household members. The Tobit analysis is designed for censored data sets. The data in this study were censored because there were missing observations on the quantity of off-farm work for those individuals who did not work off-farm in 1986. Results of Tobit analyses of off-farm work by farm operators and spouses in three Oregon counties indicated that high levels of gross farm income reduce the likelihood and extent of off-farm work. Middle-aged operators worked off-farm more while the presence of small children and elderly dependents in the farm household inhibited off-farm work. The allocation decisions of the spouse and the operator appeared to be independent; this supports a nonsimultaneous Tobit specification like the one used in this research. Title: Determinants of off-farm labor supply among farm households in the north Willamette Valley Author: Doyle, Douglas J., 1963- Financial stress in agriculture has been a concern over the past century. Agrarian values and "love of the land" seem to yield public conclusions for the support of the industry. Much of this support is in the interest of preserving a viable food producing sector in an volatile world climate. High interest rates, declining land values and highly competitive export markets have spurred renewed concern for farm survival in the past ten years. One alternative to traditional price supports and tariffs for farm household support is off-farm income. This may take many forms including off-farm wages and salaries, rental income, interest and dividend income and, retirement or pension funds. Central to the analysis of nonfarm income generation is the allocation of time by farm households. For farmers who place a high value on the farm lifestyle, occupational choice is embedded in the time decision to such an extent that the resource allocations based on economic efficiency criteria may be altered. Tobit techniques offer a new approach to the analysis of farm household decisions on time allocation. The procedure allows the investigator to estimate and evaluate parameters that may affect the amount of off-farm work by farm household members. The Tobit analysis is designed for censored data sets. The data in this study were censored because there were missing observations on the quantity of off-farm work for those individuals who did not work off-farm in 1986. Results of Tobit analyses of off-farm work by farm operators and spouses in three Oregon counties indicated that high levels of gross farm income reduce the likelihood and extent of off-farm work. Middle-aged operators worked off-farm more while the presence of small children and elderly dependents in the farm household inhibited off-farm work. The allocation decisions of the spouse and the operator appeared to be independent; this supports a nonsimultaneous Tobit specification like the one used in this research. Close

• 2. [Article] Oregon farm wives' off-farm employment and satisfaction with farming as a way of life

  Among the changes farm families have faced during the past two decades has been the dramatic increase in off-farm employment. Historically, women's involvement has been essential to the functioning of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon farm wives' off-farm employment and satisfaction with farming as a way of life Author: Hatch, Carol S. Among the changes farm families have faced during the past two decades has been the dramatic increase in off-farm employment. Historically, women's involvement has been essential to the functioning of the family farm, and as off-farm income has increased in importance, increasing numbers of farm women have joined the ranks of those employed in off farm jobs. Using phone survey data collected during the 1988-89 year, the objectives of this study were (1) to identify the variables which may predict farm wives' off-farm employment status, and the resulting direct and indirect effects of their employment status on their satisfaction with farming as a way of life, and (2) to assess the direction and strength of the relationships. Guided by the Deacon and Firebaugh (1988) family systems framework, path analysis was used to estimate the relationships among the variables. The path model was estimated and examined using LISREL 8 on the covariance matrix. A low chi-square and high goodness-of-fit index suggested that no significant difference existed between the observed covariance matrix and the model-implied matrix; however, many of the parameters in the model had low values. Because the model did not explain the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life, well, several explanations were explored. None of the model modifications estimated provided a better fit to the data, nor did they result in better path coefficients. However, splitting the sample into large and small farm subsamples answered some important questions. When small (net farm income of $10,000 or less) and large farm samples were examined, results revealed significant differences on a number of variables and correlations. An analysis of the path model for small farms produced poor R² values, but the R² for wife's off-farm employment level was slightly improved over the initial model with the full sample. The analysis of large farms indicated that the model provided better explanatory power with large farms than with either the small farm or full sample when focusing on the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life. Title: Oregon farm wives' off-farm employment and satisfaction with farming as a way of life Author: Hatch, Carol S. Among the changes farm families have faced during the past two decades has been the dramatic increase in off-farm employment. Historically, women's involvement has been essential to the functioning of the family farm, and as off-farm income has increased in importance, increasing numbers of farm women have joined the ranks of those employed in off farm jobs. Using phone survey data collected during the 1988-89 year, the objectives of this study were (1) to identify the variables which may predict farm wives' off-farm employment status, and the resulting direct and indirect effects of their employment status on their satisfaction with farming as a way of life, and (2) to assess the direction and strength of the relationships. Guided by the Deacon and Firebaugh (1988) family systems framework, path analysis was used to estimate the relationships among the variables. The path model was estimated and examined using LISREL 8 on the covariance matrix. A low chi-square and high goodness-of-fit index suggested that no significant difference existed between the observed covariance matrix and the model-implied matrix; however, many of the parameters in the model had low values. Because the model did not explain the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life, well, several explanations were explored. None of the model modifications estimated provided a better fit to the data, nor did they result in better path coefficients. However, splitting the sample into large and small farm subsamples answered some important questions. When small (net farm income of $10,000 or less) and large farm samples were examined, results revealed significant differences on a number of variables and correlations. An analysis of the path model for small farms produced poor R² values, but the R² for wife's off-farm employment level was slightly improved over the initial model with the full sample. The analysis of large farms indicated that the model provided better explanatory power with large farms than with either the small farm or full sample when focusing on the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life. Close

• 3. [Article] Some of the major factors in the organization of the Oregon wheat farm as based upon a farm survey in Sherman county, 1921

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Some of the major factors in the organization of the Oregon wheat farm as based upon a farm survey in Sherman county, 1921 Author: Cornwell, Raymond Lee Title: Some of the major factors in the organization of the Oregon wheat farm as based upon a farm survey in Sherman county, 1921 Author: Cornwell, Raymond Lee Close

• 4. [Article] Determinants of off-farm employment among Oregon farm households : a tobit analysis

  An investigation was conducted to determine the impact of economic and non-economic factors on the off-farm work efforts of Oregon farm husbands and wives. A total of 283 Oregon farm households (with husbands ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Determinants of off-farm employment among Oregon farm households : a tobit analysis Author: Rauniyar, Krishna K. P. An investigation was conducted to determine the impact of economic and non-economic factors on the off-farm work efforts of Oregon farm husbands and wives. A total of 283 Oregon farm households (with husbands and wives) were randomly selected from lists of persons deferring taxes for farm purposes, obtained from County Assessors' offices in each of eight randomly selected counties. Counties with larger number of farms had a higher probability of being selected. Data came from an Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station study conducted during 1988-89. The empirical findings from the maximum likelihood Tobit model showed plausible directional impacts. Off-farm wage rate, the basis of a reduced labor supply model, was the key variable in explaining off-farm work. Wives' off-farm work response to off-farm wage was more elastic when compared to husbands' off-farm work. Additional significant variables to affect either or both husbands' and wives' total off-farm work were total farm debt, husband's age, education, urban/rural location of farm, net farm income, age-square, farm life satisfaction, and total family income before tax. Education was positively related to off-farm work only for wives. Results also indicate that high levels of net farm income as well as farm debt reduce the likelihood and extent of off-farm work. The location of the farm closer in proximity to metropolitan areas, was a significant factor in increased off-farm work hours. Farm life satisfaction was negatively significant for both wives and husbands. The effect of farm life satisfaction was more prominent for wives than for husbands. Total family income was significant and negatively related to wives' off-farm work but not husbands, indicating that women may be more sensitive to a choice for leisure or household work and the motivation for husbands' off-farm work may be higher. Despite a substantial incidence of low profitability and low farm income from farming and some unhappiness and hard work, these farmers generally reported a high level of satisfaction with their farming operations. Any policy implications based on the findings of this study must be cautiously interpreted based on farm types and the work motivation of farmers in Oregon. Title: Determinants of off-farm employment among Oregon farm households : a tobit analysis Author: Rauniyar, Krishna K. P. An investigation was conducted to determine the impact of economic and non-economic factors on the off-farm work efforts of Oregon farm husbands and wives. A total of 283 Oregon farm households (with husbands and wives) were randomly selected from lists of persons deferring taxes for farm purposes, obtained from County Assessors' offices in each of eight randomly selected counties. Counties with larger number of farms had a higher probability of being selected. Data came from an Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station study conducted during 1988-89. The empirical findings from the maximum likelihood Tobit model showed plausible directional impacts. Off-farm wage rate, the basis of a reduced labor supply model, was the key variable in explaining off-farm work. Wives' off-farm work response to off-farm wage was more elastic when compared to husbands' off-farm work. Additional significant variables to affect either or both husbands' and wives' total off-farm work were total farm debt, husband's age, education, urban/rural location of farm, net farm income, age-square, farm life satisfaction, and total family income before tax. Education was positively related to off-farm work only for wives. Results also indicate that high levels of net farm income as well as farm debt reduce the likelihood and extent of off-farm work. The location of the farm closer in proximity to metropolitan areas, was a significant factor in increased off-farm work hours. Farm life satisfaction was negatively significant for both wives and husbands. The effect of farm life satisfaction was more prominent for wives than for husbands. Total family income was significant and negatively related to wives' off-farm work but not husbands, indicating that women may be more sensitive to a choice for leisure or household work and the motivation for husbands' off-farm work may be higher. Despite a substantial incidence of low profitability and low farm income from farming and some unhappiness and hard work, these farmers generally reported a high level of satisfaction with their farming operations. Any policy implications based on the findings of this study must be cautiously interpreted based on farm types and the work motivation of farmers in Oregon. Close

• 5. [Article] Effects of Price Risk in Wholesale Market on the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish

  Abstract Only

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of Price Risk in Wholesale Market on the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Author: Jolly, Curtis, Nguyen, Giap Abstract Only Title: Effects of Price Risk in Wholesale Market on the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Author: Jolly, Curtis, Nguyen, Giap Abstract Only Close

• 6. [Article] An analysis of the farm organization and progress of farm security administration clients in Marion county

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An analysis of the farm organization and progress of farm security administration clients in Marion county Author: Deschamps, Ray Title: An analysis of the farm organization and progress of farm security administration clients in Marion county Author: Deschamps, Ray Close

• 7. [Article] A study of some important factors in wheat farm organization in the Columbia basin in eastern Oregon

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A study of some important factors in wheat farm organization in the Columbia basin in eastern Oregon Author: Newman, Paul Clinton Title: A study of some important factors in wheat farm organization in the Columbia basin in eastern Oregon Author: Newman, Paul Clinton Close

• 8. [Article] Organization plan for a poultry and small fruit farm for the Willamette Valley

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Organization plan for a poultry and small fruit farm for the Willamette Valley Author: Ding, Edward Ralph Title: Organization plan for a poultry and small fruit farm for the Willamette Valley Author: Ding, Edward Ralph Close

• 9. [Article] An evaluation of family income variation on low-income farms in western Oregon

  The primary purpose of this thesis is to determine the economic nature of low incomes on low-income farms in western Oregon. An economic model containing variables that contribute to family income is developed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An evaluation of family income variation on low-income farms in western Oregon Author: Long, Donald Eugene The primary purpose of this thesis is to determine the economic nature of low incomes on low-income farms in western Oregon. An economic model containing variables that contribute to family income is developed for farm operators in the study area. Regression analysis is used to determine the significant variables contributing to family income variation. From the results of the regression analysis, an income function is derived for low-income farm families of western Oregon. An analysis of the variables included in the income function is presented, as well as a discussion of the variables that were determined not to be significant from the regression analysis. It is concluded that insufficient farm size, inadequate capital for farm expansion, lack of training or skill, inefficient use of available resources, age of the operator, lack of formal education, and lack of mobility are the main causes of low incomes in the thirteen northwestern counties of Oregon. The findings of this study tend to support other studies of a similar nature. Finally, policy alternatives and recommendations are given. It is determined the avenues of assistance open to older low-income farm operators and those with less formal education are direct aid programs. The training necessary to obtain non-farm employment is the most feasible means for the younger, low-income farm operators. It is determined that there is a relatively small number of low-income farm operators in western Oregon with adequate resources to farm their way out of poverty. Title: An evaluation of family income variation on low-income farms in western Oregon Author: Long, Donald Eugene The primary purpose of this thesis is to determine the economic nature of low incomes on low-income farms in western Oregon. An economic model containing variables that contribute to family income is developed for farm operators in the study area. Regression analysis is used to determine the significant variables contributing to family income variation. From the results of the regression analysis, an income function is derived for low-income farm families of western Oregon. An analysis of the variables included in the income function is presented, as well as a discussion of the variables that were determined not to be significant from the regression analysis. It is concluded that insufficient farm size, inadequate capital for farm expansion, lack of training or skill, inefficient use of available resources, age of the operator, lack of formal education, and lack of mobility are the main causes of low incomes in the thirteen northwestern counties of Oregon. The findings of this study tend to support other studies of a similar nature. Finally, policy alternatives and recommendations are given. It is determined the avenues of assistance open to older low-income farm operators and those with less formal education are direct aid programs. The training necessary to obtain non-farm employment is the most feasible means for the younger, low-income farm operators. It is determined that there is a relatively small number of low-income farm operators in western Oregon with adequate resources to farm their way out of poverty. Close

• 10. [Article] Historic farm structures as material culture : an Oregon study

  The thesis is a case study of two traditional family farms that were settled in Oregon in 1850 and 1915. The study embraces the theory that material culture reflects customs and values. The material culture ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Historic farm structures as material culture : an Oregon study Author: Judge, Barbara C. The thesis is a case study of two traditional family farms that were settled in Oregon in 1850 and 1915. The study embraces the theory that material culture reflects customs and values. The material culture indicators within the study are the architectural structures of the Oregon farms. The study filters the architecture through theoretical and historical data of both Oregon and the Upland South. The farms are recorded with oral history, photographs, architectural descriptions, and evolutionary settlement patterns. The filtering process results in two constructs that correlate the commonalities of both the Oregon farms and the Upland South architecture. The results point out that, with the disappearance of vernacular architecture on family farms, it follows that historic traditional cultures vanish. Title: Historic farm structures as material culture : an Oregon study Author: Judge, Barbara C. The thesis is a case study of two traditional family farms that were settled in Oregon in 1850 and 1915. The study embraces the theory that material culture reflects customs and values. The material culture indicators within the study are the architectural structures of the Oregon farms. The study filters the architecture through theoretical and historical data of both Oregon and the Upland South. The farms are recorded with oral history, photographs, architectural descriptions, and evolutionary settlement patterns. The filtering process results in two constructs that correlate the commonalities of both the Oregon farms and the Upland South architecture. The results point out that, with the disappearance of vernacular architecture on family farms, it follows that historic traditional cultures vanish. Close