Outlook for Farm Family Living in 1939

Excerpts from the report: In contrast with 1938 when the farm family income felt the effects of the general decline in business activity, 1939 gives promise of being a better year. Business and industrial pick-up, more men and women at work, and more money in circulation all indicate a larger consumption of the products of the farm with more money coming the farmer's way. Income both from the farm and from sources other than the farm, for families that have such income, should be somewhat higher in 1939 than the year before. Government payments in 1939, including price-adjustment payments to those who cooperate in the 1939 program, are expected to exceed those of 1938. Receipts from farm marketings are expected to increase while production expenses are expected to remain at approximately 1938 levels. The farm dollar should purchase about as much as in 1938, and on the whole indications are that there will be more farm dollars to spend. The economies and careful planning forced upon the farm family during 1938, together with favorable garden crops, have tended toward increased conservation of home products so that there should be a good reserve of food on hand during the early months of 1939 in many farm homes.