Nonfatal Farm Injuries in North Dakota: A Sociological Analysis

The 1980s has not been a particularly prosperous decade for many farm operators. Due to shifts in the agricultural economy, many farmers have experienced farm foreclosure and rural displacement; while many more are at serious risk of losing their farms. Within the context of the agricultural crisis, this study examines the impact of economic hardship on the probability of experiencing a farm injury. Specifically, we hypothesized that farm operators who were experiencing economic distress would be more likely to experience a farm injury. Data from the North Dakota Rural Life Poll (n=450) was used to estimate the incidence of farm accidents, as well as examine the relationship between selected farm operator characteristics and the incidence of a farm accident. The data suggests that younger farm operators with higher debt‐to‐asset ratios are significantly more likely to experience a farm accident. The study goes on to examine some of the dynamics of this relationship, and implications for farm safety education are addressed.