Agricultural structure and the well-being of rural counties in the state of Georgia: 1969-1987

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the causal relationship between agricultural structure and the well-being of rural counties in the state of Georgia. Longitudinal data (1969-1987) and panel data analysis are used to explore the relationship between Georgia agricultural structure, nonfarm indicators and the well-being of rural counties. It is assumed in past literature that the agriculture concentration tend to diminish the well-being of rural counties. Therefore, 145 rural counties since 1969 are selected to examine the structure change in agriculture and the impacts on the well-being of rural Georgia. A number of indicators of well-being and indicators of nonfarm variables are selected and several factors are extracted from sixteen agriculture variables for constructing the agricultural structure. The result of this study are (1) the year of 1978 is the watershed of rural Georgia agricultural and economic development; (2) Crop counties are located in south Georgia. Poultry counties are concentrated on north Georgia and are closer to a larger metropolitan area. Compared to crop counties, poultry counties have distinguished improvement in the indicators of well-being, and the current diversity is expected to be continued; (3) Large farm concentration does not necessarily have a negative effect on the well-being of rural counties; (4) Nonfarm factors are relatively more important with regard to rural well-being than are agriculture factors; (5) The percentage increase in blacks always has a negative effect on the change of well-being; (6) All service and manufacturing industries are not associated with the improvement of well-being, it may depend on the salaries paid; (7) Regional varieties, such as racial component, industrial structure, spatial location and primary agriculture products, merit more attention for future studies.