Responding to the Farm Crisis

The economic decline that has gripped the U.S. farm economy for the past five years continues unabated.The past is prologue, with more of the same expected.However, I question recognition of the real magnitude of the financial stress associated with the current and continuing decline.National studies have provided a current appraisal of the "farm financial crisis, " which is used as the basis for discussion of many of the farm problems addressed in the public arena, including Extension funding and programming.This appraisal concludes that only 10% to 15% of all family farms and 15% to 20% of commercial farms are currently experiencing the most severe financial stress and that farming is still basically profitable.