Getting Started in Farming 1910, 1930, 1950 and 1978: Is It More Difficult?

This study examined the null hypothesis that getting started in farming in the 1970's was not more difficult than it was in earlier periods in the twentieth century. Comparative budgets were constructed using farm survey and farm account data for three different regions at four different time periods. In terms of years of farm wages required to earn beginning equity and cash flew to meet debt payments and family living costs, the null hypothesis was accepted. In general 1978-80 was more like 1910-12 than the more difficult times of 1930-32 and 1950-52.