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Determinants of Poverty among U.S. Farm Households

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Hisham S. El-Osta  and
Mitchell J. Morehart
Hisham S. El-Osta
Affiliation:
Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture
Mitchell J. Morehart
Affiliation:
Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture
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Abstract

This research uses data from the 2004 Agricultural Resource Management Survey and probit regression to examine the determinants of poverty among U.S. farm households. The findings reveal, among others, the importance of a livelihood strategy that combines participation in government programs and off-farm work in lowering poverty rates. Findings also show the importance of educational attainment of the farm operator in mitigating poverty, but only when poverty is measured on a relative rather than an absolute basis. Policy recommendations are provided in the context of these findings.

Keywords

composite measure of economic well-beinggovernment programsoff-farm workpovertyJ23J24D3I21I32C81
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 40 , Issue 1 , April 2007 , pp. 1 - 20
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2008

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