Gross entry-exit rates by operator age group suggest there is still an underlying trend toward declining numbers of commercial farms, aging of the farm operator population, and an increasing share of farms operated part-time. The number of entries by young farmers declined steadily from 1978 to 1997, as did the exit rate for older operators. Between 1992 and 1997, the entry rate rebounded for farmers over age 35 and those principally employed off-farm. A sharp decline in the exit rate for midcareer farmers also helped stabilize the decline in farm numbers.
This study compares the extent of technology use by rural and urban manufacturing plants. Count data regression models explain technology use as a function of rural-urban indicator variables, plant characteristics, and location characteristics. The results show no difference in technology use due to rural-urban location. Characteristics of nonmetro plants, including size, prevalency of branch plants, and nature of production process, tend to raise nonmetro manufacturing technology use. Lower nonmetro schooling levels, an older labor force, and mix of industries with low technology use tend to reduce technology use in nonmetro areas. Copyright 1998, Oxford University Press.
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