Factors Contributing to the Establishment of Rural Boys in Farming in Two Type-of-farming Areas in Oklahoma.

Abstract

The cash grain area, represented by Garber and Kingfisher communites, and the general farming area, represented by Perkins and Prague communities, were selected for study. Seventy-six established farmer were interviewed, forty-six from the cash grain area and thirty from the general area, the data being recorded on interview schedules. Statistics were computed with the aid of business machines. The rural boy's father was discovered to be the most important influence person, 74 percent of the interviewees reporting. Vocational agriculture was a major factor in interesting 67.1 of the farmers interviewed, and in helping them become established in farming. Of those interviewed, 88 percent were far, reared and 83 percent were reared locally. Nearly 50 percent had brothers on the farm at present. All of the farmers enjoyed farming, and all of them were affiliated in some way with some religious organization. Sixty percent had recieved veteran training. In comparing the two areas studied, it was discovered that nearly 75 percent of the agricultural income in the cash grain area came from crop sales. While 75 percent of the income in the general area was derived from sale of livestock. Farms are larger, decreases in rural farm population have been greater, and management problems are more difficult to solve in the general area than in the grain area. Only 8 percent of the farmers studied belonged to civic organizations, suggesting differenecs between the group interviewed and the organizations listed. The major conclusion drawn from the opinions of the seventy-six farmers was that establishment in any area depends on the way young men are able to solve seven basic problems. It was recommende that rural educators stress guidance of rural boys.