ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a number of changes in farm management practices, farm and financial organization, and family lifestyles initiated by farm and ranch operators to cope with financial stress. It examines adaptations that farm households are making in response to economic conditions. Participation in government farm programs also can be used as a risk reducing strategy by some producers because the major commodity programs generally offer some income protection through deficiency payments, nonrecourse loans, diversion payments, and other program provisions. Strategies to increase the value of farm sales include adding new enterprises, more intensively managing existing enterprises, and increasing attention to marketing the farm's products advantageously. Information concerning the extent to which various adjustment strategies are being employed by farm households is drawn from surveys conducted in several states. The experience of the displaced farm operators in seeking alternative employment can be compared to that of displaced workers nationwide.
