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Links among Farm Productivity, Off-Farm Work, and Farm Size in the Southeast

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Jet Yee ,
Mary Clare Ahearn  and
Wallace Huffman
Jet Yee
Affiliation:
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Mary Clare Ahearn
Affiliation:
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Wallace Huffman
Affiliation:
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
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Abstract

This paper examines the linkages among agricultural total factor productivity, farm size, and farm household participation in the off-farm labor market for the Southeastern states for the period 1960-1996. We find evidence of a simultaneous relationship between productivity and measures of farm structure. The results support the expected relationships between the endogenous variables, namely that productivity and farm size are positively related, farm size and off-farm work participation are negatively related, and off-farm work and productivity are negatively related. We find positive and significant impacts of government policies (investments in public research, extension, and highways) on productivity growth.

Keywords

farm sizeoff-farm workproductivitySoutheaststructural changeJ22O47Q15Q16Q18
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 36 , Issue 3 , December 2004 , pp. 591 - 603
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2004

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