Managerial Organization of U.S. Farms: Importance for Classifying Farms and Evaluating the Distribution of Farm Payments

Abstract

A new typology of U.S. farms is constructed focusing on the managerial organization of farms. Single operator farms are distinguished from those with multiple operators which are divided into four classes: (single generation farms with 1) operators of the same sex, 2) operators of opposite sex, and multiple generation farms with 3) an elder primary operator, and 4) an younger primary operator). The utility of this classification scheme for understanding farm structure is analyzed and findings show that the managerial organization represents an important classification for understanding the distribution of farm payments.Farm Household, Government Policy, Agricultural and Food Policy,