The objectives of this case study are to determine the personal, family, and community interactions of women on small farms, to determine how women on small farms are affected by social and cultural change, and to determine the influence of significant and generalized others on the behavior of women on small farms. The theoretical framework includes the elements of symbolic interaction and role theory and embraces the role-making process, the "folk norm of consistency", the tentative nature of interaction, the process of role verification, and self-conception and role, all of which show linkage between roles as a social change process and reactions of members of the small farm communities. Subjects are 54 Louisiana families, including 111 females, who are participating in a Small Farmer's Project, cultivate at least 4 acres, and report less than $5,000 income from the farm enterprise. Beginning in August 1978, the families are studied for 9 months through participant observation. Findings indicate that the small farm families are still traditionally oriented; most females are from relatively poor small farm backgrounds; though the women consider their husbands and fathers as directors of the farming operation, they are not usually dominated by the men and have considerable control of financial affairs and decision making; sons are taught small farm work ethics, while daughters are given special consideration in formal education. (NEC)