Nonmetropolitan Population Trends: Twenty-first Century Updates

Population trends in the nonmetropolitan counties of the United States continue to be erratic. This study used 2008 population estimates to make comparisons of 2000-2008 population changes with those of the decades of the 1980s and 1990s. Findings showed that population changes during the early years of the 21st century were more reminiscent of the 1980s than the 1990s, as overall population growth was minimal and the number of counties losing population exceeded the number of counties with population growth. It appears that the first decade of the 21st century can be labeled as the “Rural Rebound Reversal” decade. The variable with the strongest relationship to population growth was a natural amenity scale. Throughout the study period, counties with more extensive amenity resources were much more likely to have population growth than counties lacking such amenity resources. Counties with more extensive urban influence also have more positive trends than other counties. The implications of these findings are discussed

Factors Explaining Variations in COVID-19 Deaths in Rural America

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, case and death rates from the disease in rural counties were significantly lower than in urban counties. This pattern changed during the summer and fall of 2020, and by December, death rates in rural counties were higher than in urban counties. This article uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau and voting and COVID-19 data from The New York Times to explore factors related to the increase in COVID-19 deaths in rural counties in the United States. Further analysis is conducted to understand variations in death rates across different types of rural counties. Multivariate regression models revealed that death rates were related to both measures of disadvantage and political views

The Adaptations of Farmers in an Era of Declining Groundwater Supplies

In recent years it has become increasingly apparent that modem agricultural practices are resulting in a wide array of environmental problems, and in particular resource depletion problems. As of yet, however, there has been a relative lack of research on the adaptations made by farmers when faced with the depletion of an important resource. This paper helps address this void by exploring the adaptations of farmers (N = 700) in the Texas High Plains to the depletion of their primary source of irrigation water--the Ogallala Aquifer. It was found that the proportion of farm operators who had adopted each of the various water conservation techniques varied significantly. Over half of the farmers had reduced the number of times that crops are irrigated each year in response to declining groundwater supplies, while only 13 percent had adopted bench terraces or moisture sensing instruments. Farmers adopting the water conserving technologies that were relatively cheap to implement, but that could reduce the amount of groundwater needed, tended to come from smaller farms and areas where groundwater supplies were not as extensive. On the other hand, farmers adopting more expensive irrigation technologies, such as the center-pivot sprinkler, tended to come from larger farms with a more extensive groundwater supply. Such farms were in a better position to economically justify a major investment into irrigation

A Comparison of the Views of Farmers and the Nonfarm Public Regarding Resource Use: The Case of Texas Groundwater

This paper provides a comparison of the views of farmers and the nonfarm public about the use of a water resource that is critical to both. Specifically, this paper presents the results of surveys of a farm and a nonfarm sample about the uses of water from the Edwards Aquifer in South Central Texas. The paper briefly discusses the Edwards Aquifer and outlining the issues surrounding this critical resource. Hypotheses are then developed, data are analyzed, and conclusions drawn

Public Perceptions About Biotechnology

Biotechnology represents a new generation of scientific and technological advancements and has the potential to result in profound changes in twenty-first century agriculture. Since the general public are the consumers of biotechnology products, public acceptance is vital. This article presents the results of a survey of a random sample of Texas residents on two significant issues. First, to what extent is the general public supportive of biotechnology, and second, are there some segments of the population that are more supportive of biotechnology than other segments. Survey results make it apparent that the Texas general public has a clear mandate about two aspects of biotechnology. First, there is widespread support for research on plant biotechnology and the resulting products. A second clear mandate was that the public was adamantly opposed to research on human cloning. Respondent\u27s views about animal biotechnology were split, with about equal numbers favoring and opposing research on animal biotechnology and the resulting products. Respondents most favorable to biotechnology included older people, males, persons with more education and higher incomes, those with more faith in science and technology, and those who perceive positive outcomes from biotechnology. Some implications of these findings are discussed

Poverty, Inequality and Social Justice in Nonmetropolitan America

This Web Book addresses the topics of poverty, inequality, and social justice in nonmetropolitan counties in the United States. The job structure of nonmetro communities is significantly different from the job structure in metro communities. Further, nonmetro communities face unique obstacles in implementing programs to reduce poverty. The book provides an overview of trends in and the correlates of poverty. Some of the major theoretical efforts to understand poverty are examined along with societal trends likely to impact levels of poverty and inequality in the future. The book concludes suggestions for nonmetropolitan community leaders and practitioners for dealing with poverty.https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/rri-web-book/1028/thumbnail.jp

Small Town in Global Society

The 2007 Southern Rural Sociological Association Presidential Address: After passing through eras labeled as “Small Town in Isolation” and “Small Town in Mass Society,” it is argued that we are now entering the era of “Small Town in Global Society.” Two factors that distinguish global society from mass society are worldwide competition and the reduced relevance of location. Outcomes of the transition to global society include the increased importance of amenity resources and a major economic structure transformation. To survive and prosper in a global society will require community leaders and development specialists to understand the inherent obstacles and constraints, and then to make informed decisions and take the appropriate actions. A typology to help understand and predict community change is developed and suggestions for community leaders, development specialists and researchers are provided

Agricultural Concentration: An Analysis by Commodity

One of the most striking consequences of the industrialization of agriculture in the United States is the extent to which production is becoming increasingly concentrated on a relatively few farms. In this study, a human ecological perspective and nationwide census data at the county level from 1982, 1987, and 1992 were used to explore concentration in the dairy, hog, and beef cattle industries. Wide differences were found in the extent of concentration from commodity to commodity and from county to county. It was found that in counties where the production of one commodity is highly concentrated, the production of other commodities may not necessarily be similarly concentrated. Also, factors related to high levels of concentration for one commodity are not generally related to high levels of concentration for other commodities

Nonmetro/Metro Migration: Economic and Noneconomic Outcomes

Throughout U.S. history, millions of Americans have migrated between nonmetro and metro areas. Both economic and noneconomic factors have been thought to be important in motivating individuals and families to migrate. Economic opportunities have generally been better in metro communities prompting extensive levels of nonmetro to metro migration. At the same time, nonmetro communities have been felt to offer the advantages of safety, being closer to nature, and having more conservative religious and family values. In this analysis, data from recent General Social Surveys were used to compare the economic and noneconomic outcomes for nonmetro and metro migrants compared with those who remained in either metro or nonmetro areas. The analysis showed that persons who migrate from nonmetro to metro areas continue to reap economic benefits. On the other hand, nonmetro residents continue to have more traditional religious and family values. No statistical differences in overall life satisfaction were found. The reasons for these findings and their consequences are discussed