In this paper, we have recognized that the relatively constant inequality in the distribution of U.S. family income masks dramatic changes in the structure of the income distribution and the composition of personal incomes. Using relatively new procedures for decomposing the Gini measure of...

Farmer productivity by age was estimated, allowing for differences because of efficiency and returns to scale. Using Census of Agriculture data, estimates vary by state, but returns to scale average 1.07. Efficiency increases average 4.5 percent every ten years of age, to the age interval 35 to...

sector employment, uncovered sector employment, and unemployment. The impact of these labor market adjustments on absolute poverty will depend on how the pattern of employment composition changes within households and on how income is shared within households. An earlier paper (Fields and...

Agricultural workers in most states are exempt from some labor law provisions that apply to employees in most other workplaces. In New York State agricultural labor advocates and farmers have battled politically over this issue for more than four decades. Two of the most contentious issues are...

Social Security taxes are a major and growing expense of operating a farm business. Self-employed farmers and family farm workers have some flexibility in managing cash income subject to Social Security. A basic understanding of Social Security benefits as well as costs is required to make a...

Major investments in infrastructure rehabilitation have been undertaken by govemments, development banks and donors in developing countries in recent decades. In Sub-Saharan Africa roaddeterioration isperceivedtobeoneofthemaincausesforthelimitedsupplyresponseafter price liberalization in...

As economies of size become increasingly important in production agriculture, farm sizes continually increase. For the farm members of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA), this results in larger herds, more acres of crop production, and more full-time, non-owner employees. The...