WRITTEN PRIMARILY FOR THE PERSON WITH LITTLE OR NO FARMING KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE WHO EXPECTS FARMING TO PROVIDE THE MAJOR PART OF HIS AND HIS FAMILY'S INCOME, THIS PUBLICATION BRIEFLY EXPLORES NUMEROUS ASPECTS OF OPERATING A FAMILY-MANAGED COMMERCIAL FARM. IN DESCRIBING WHAT FARMING IS LIKE TODAY, THE FOLLOWING POINTS ARE COVERED--IMPORTANT FARMING TRENDS, AVAILABILITY OF FARMS, RESOURCES NEEDED, LEVELS OF INCOME, AND HOW BEGINNERS GET STARTED. MAJOR TYPES OF FARMS PRESENTED INCLUDE DAIRY, FEED GRAINS AND LIVESTOCK, COTTON, WHEAT, RANGE LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, SPECIALITY CROPS, AND GENERAL FARMING. THE QUESTION OF RENTING OR BUYING LAND AND METHODS OF FINANCING ARE OUTLINED, AS WELL AS SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET STARTED. THIS BULLETIN IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR $0.15 FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20402. (SF)