The off-farm labor supply of farmers

Extract: Theoretical and empirical models are developed to examine the off-farm wages, labor force participation, and hours of work of farmers. Econometric estimates use data from a 1971 survey of Illinois farmers. The off-farm wage depends on farmer human capital and the local labor market. The major result confirms the sensitivity of off-farm work to economic incentives. A 10% increase in the off-farm wage entails an 11% increase in hours of off-farm work holding farm characteristics constant. Results also indicate effects of seasonality, risk, and life cycle factors on off-farm work