Family land and developmental cycles among Illinois farmers

A field study carried out in an ethnic (German) community of 89 Ill farmers brought to light four types of family developmental cycles relating to the farm enterprise: (1) expanders, (2) conservators, (3) pragmatists, & (4) converters. Ethnographic data are presented to delineate characteristic traits of each type, focusing on family farming goals & the timing of retirement, intergenerational land transfers, & purchases of land. Survey data demonstrate a relationship between the age of an operator's first purchase of land & a family development cycle type. 4 Tables. Modified HA.