Part-time farming and the rural community

The large & growing proportion of part-time farm families may have an impact on the nature of social relations in Ru communities. In an investigation of some of the social consequences of part-time farming, interviews were conducted in 1978 with part-time & full-time farmers (N = 645) living near St. Louis, Mo, to ascertain perceived community attachment, benefits received from Ru living, & their goals & priorities for the local community. These dimensions of community life should give some indication of the possible sources of conflict & strain in the Ru community. It is concluded that a movement toward more part-time farming will have little social consequence for Ru communities that have already been integrated into the larger Ur social organization. 5 Tables, Bibliography. Modified HA.