The 17 articles in this volume are designed to shed light on what farmers are experiencing during the current farm crisis and why. They also examine what current agricultural change means for rural life and rural communities, and what southern farming may be like in the foreseeable future. The articles represent contemporary research and scholarship on the social and economic changes that are rending the fabric of farm life today. The volume is a product of a five-year regional research project, "Agricultural Change: Causes, Consequences and Policy Implications." While the book's primary focus is on the southeastern states, several papers look at more general issues, reporting data from midwest studies. The broader theme is the interrelationships between community, family, and agricultural work. Part 1 examines quality of life on the farm, including the well-being of black farmers, the survival of small farmers, and welfare and satisfaction among farm residents. Part 2 addresses the notion of organization or structure of the farm sector, examining changes in agricultural production and how they affect rural development. Part 3 turns to relationships between farming and the quality of rural communities. Among the topics discussed are landownership patterns and how they affect communities and rural people. Part 4 considers the larger society's effects on farming. The influence of federal policy on farming is discussed, along with the elements of technological diffusion. This book is indexed by subject and author, including authors of all reference works. (TES)