Steven H Murdock is regents professor of rural sociology at Texas A&M University. F. Larry Leistritz is distinguished professor of agricultural economics at North Dakota State University.

• Preface -- Introduction -- The Context of the Crisis -- Financial Characteristics of Farms and of Farm Financial Markets and Policies in the United States -- The Structural Characteristics of U.S. Agriculture: Historical Patterns and Precursors of Producers' Adaptations to the Crisis -- Demographic, Socioeconomic and Service Characteristics of Rural Areas in the United States: The Human Resource Base for the Response to the Crisis -- The Characteristics, Impacts and Long-term Implications of the Crisis -- The Financial Characteristics of Production Units and Producers Experiencing Financial Stress -- Producer Reactions and Adaptations -- Demographic Characteristics of Rural Residents in Financial Distress and Social and Community Impacts of the Farm Crisis -- The Implications of the Current Farm Crisis for Rural America -- Policy Alternatives and Research Agenda -- Technical Appendix

Steven H Murdock is regents professor of rural sociology at Texas A&M University. F. Larry Leistritz is distinguished professor of agricultural economics at North Dakota State University.

• Preface -- Introduction -- The Context of the Crisis -- Financial Characteristics of Farms and of Farm Financial Markets and Policies in the United States -- The Structural Characteristics of U.S. Agriculture: Historical Patterns and Precursors of Producers' Adaptations to the Crisis -- Demographic, Socioeconomic and Service Characteristics of Rural Areas in the United States: The Human Resource Base for the Response to the Crisis -- The Characteristics, Impacts and Long-term Implications of the Crisis -- The Financial Characteristics of Production Units and Producers Experiencing Financial Stress -- Producer Reactions and Adaptations -- Demographic Characteristics of Rural Residents in Financial Distress and Social and Community Impacts of the Farm Crisis -- The Implications of the Current Farm Crisis for Rural America -- Policy Alternatives and Research Agenda -- Technical Appendix

Steven H Murdock is regents professor of rural sociology at Texas A&M University. F. Larry Leistritz is distinguished professor of agricultural economics at North Dakota State University.

• Preface -- Introduction -- The Context of the Crisis -- Financial Characteristics of Farms and of Farm Financial Markets and Policies in the United States -- The Structural Characteristics of U.S. Agriculture: Historical Patterns and Precursors of Producers' Adaptations to the Crisis -- Demographic, Socioeconomic and Service Characteristics of Rural Areas in the United States: The Human Resource Base for the Response to the Crisis -- The Characteristics, Impacts and Long-term Implications of the Crisis -- The Financial Characteristics of Production Units and Producers Experiencing Financial Stress -- Producer Reactions and Adaptations -- Demographic Characteristics of Rural Residents in Financial Distress and Social and Community Impacts of the Farm Crisis -- The Implications of the Current Farm Crisis for Rural America -- Policy Alternatives and Research Agenda -- Technical Appendix