Dorow, Norbert A.

Edelman, Mark A.

English

Research Papers in Economics

LOCAL PROGRAMS  AND  ACTIVITIES TO HELP
FARM  PEOPLE ADJUST
Norbert A.  Dorow
North Dakota State University
and
Mark A. Edelman
Iowa State University
Many  farm families are experiencing  severe  financial stress under
conditions  of  low  commodity  prices,  high  debt loads  and  high real
interest rates. Along with financial stress, many farm families expe-
rience  emotional stress as they face possibilities of farm foreclosure,
changing occupations and moving to a new location. If they are able
to stay on the farm, they may face low family income  and be unable
to achieve their family goals unless they seek off-farm work.
The  workshop  discussion  centered  on  four  major  questions.  (1)
What  types  of adjustments  are  farm  families  having  to make?  (2)
What  kinds of help  are  needed?  (3)  What local  resources  might  be
available to provide support? (4) How might extension efforts be initi-
ated?
Types  of Adjustments.  Farm  families  under  financial  stress  are
faced with several types of possible adjustments including financial,
social and emotional,  and occupational  and locational. Financial  ad-
justments might  include  asset-debt  restructuring,  ownership  of  re-
sources,  family  living  income  and  the  legal  aspects  of  these
adjustments. Social and emotional adjustments might include status
in  the  community,  personal  relationships,  self-image  and  mental
stress. Occupational and location adjustments might include leaving
the farm for a new occupation  in a new location  or shifting to part-
time or full-time work off the farm but staying in the same location.
Most farm families  need assistance  or support  in making these ad-
justments.
Kinds of Help Needed. The extension service in many states is help-
ing farm  families  with financial  analysis.  There is a need for  more
awareness of the help  available and the importance of making early
financial and legal adjustments  before options are closed.
There  is opportunity  for expanded local programs  to provide emo-
tional support for families under  stress. These families need to real-
120ize that  they  are not  alone  and that  farm business  failure  does  not
mean  personal  or  family  failure.  Those  who  lose their  farms must
deal with  lost pride and must reestablish  new goals in life.
For  families  moving off the farm,  there  may  be  a need  for  short-
term assistance for food and shelter.  Educational programs, job train-
ing and relocation  assistance  may be needed.
Local Resources.  Major  resources  are  the  community  groups  and
agencies including churches,  ministerial associations,  mental health
agencies,  social service agencies, job service,  labor unions, chambers
of commerce,  lender groups,  local farm organizations,  social organi-
zations, senior citizen groups and United States Department of Agri-
culture  (USDA)  agencies.  Local  government  units  may  provide
mental health  services,  social  services,  welfare and workfare.  Some
of these groups can be active in soliciting volunteers for various serv-
ices needed.
Universities,  community  colleges  and  vocational  schools  are  re-
sources for job training. Private firms might provide on-the- job train-
ing and employment.
Family members  and friends can help  identify signs of depression,
but they may need training. Youth groups, such as 4-H and informal
peer groups,  can provide emotional support to the youth in the fami-
lies under stress.  Local  groups  such  as marketing  clubs,  computer
clubs or management clubs might provide emotional  support as well
as providing an opportunity to improve skills. Farmers who have  ex-
ited from farming might serve as resource  persons; however,  one dis-
cussant had encountered some resistance when attempting to have a
farmer talking to farmers.
There  may be opportunity  to develop video tapes on pertinent top-
ics for use by local groups, extension homemaker clubs or for individ-
ual use.
Initiating Extension Efforts.  Extension  administrators  need to  le-
gitimize and provide incentives for shifting field and state staff time
from other program efforts to programs that help farm families make
adjustments.  Some present programs  might be repackaged to reduce
staff time.
Local  extension advisory  committees  should be encouraged  to rec-
ognize  the need for the family support programs  and be involved  in
setting extension program priorities. Field staff should be trained to
recognize their roles  as coordinators  of programs  and be able to rec-
ognize  symptoms  of stress  but  not  to  do  family  stress  counseling.
Finally, the local extension field staff can play key roles in coordinat-
ing  local  resources,  agencies  and  support  efforts  for  farm  families
under financial  and emotional  stress.
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LOCAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES TO HELP FARM PEOPLE ADJUST

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Research Papers in Economics