An analysis of general farms in Tennessee with special reference to family farm income

Agriculture in Tennessee is lagging behind the other southeastern states. In 1954 the net income per farm in Tennessee was $1452, fifth among the southeastern states. In 1964, net income per farm had increased to $1801, but this was the lowest in the southeast. From 1954 to 1969, the percent increase in net income per farm in Tennessee was 24 percent, lowest in southeast. Four other states had increased income by more than ICQ percent; so there is a great need to improve the agriculture in Tennessee. The basic data for the present study was selected from the records of the Tennessee Farms in Unit Test Demonstration program. Forty two general farms were selected for the four year period from 1964 to 1967, as far as possible using as a criteria that these are classified as general farms for at least three out of the four years. The selected 42 farms were divided into three groups for each year based on the family farm income. The high, middle and low income groups are the three divisions which have the averages for 11,20 and 11 farms respectively. It was found that the reason for the higher income of the middle and high income groups is the favorable relationship between the major factors that affects the family farm income and the family farm income. The reason for the low income of the low income group is the preponderance of unfavorable relationship between major factors and family farm income. In conclusion, measures for Improving the family farm income for all income groups of farms were suggested. The practical aspects involved in these improvements were briefly mentioned.