Determinants of work hours among a cohort of male and female farmers 50 years and older in Kentucky and South Carolina (2002-2005)

J Agromedicine. 2011 Jul-Sep;16(3):163-73. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2011.581529.

Abstract

The average age of United States farmers has been increasing for 20 years. The objective is to examine the factors associated with hours worked among farmers age 50 and older. A cohort of Kentucky and South Carolina farmers (n = 1394) over age 50 were surveyed annually during 2002-2005. Of those that reported any farm work, males worked 24 mean hours/week and females worked 14 mean hours/week. Greater satisfaction and more experience farming, increased acreage, and presence of animals significantly increased estimated hours farmed, whereas chronic health problems, although prevalent, had a minor role in determining work hours.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Agriculture / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Kentucky
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sex Distribution
  • South Carolina
  • Workload / psychology
  • Workload / statistics & numerical data*