To study the social and economic conditions where black farmers live, 342 southern counties, each having at least 25 black farmers, were identified. The counties were divided into five categories, four of which reflected the most common commodity type of black-operated farm and one which did not exhibit any common black-operated farm type. Most black farmers, it was found, live in slowly growing counties where nonfarm employment opportunities are limited. Social and economic conditions of blacks varied considerably among the regions, but blacks always lagged behind whites. Poverty rates among blacks ranged from 56.3 percent in the Delta Crop region (parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi) to 36.3 percent in the Atlantic Tobacco region (parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia). Unemployment among black adults ranged from 15.1 percent in the Delta Crop region to 8.9 percent in the East Texas Beef region (parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas). Growth in jobs between 1970 and 1980 ranged from 4.4 percent in the Delta Crop region to 29.9 percent in the East Texas Beef region. The findings suggest that many black farm families would be better off financially if they left agriculture. Most black-operated farms are very small and cannot provide enough income to adequately support a family. More policies are needed which encourage economic growth in depressed rural areas for those who decide to leave farming. More education and job training in these areas could also help. (KH)