Banks closed and foreclosed, small town businesses boarded up their storefronts, and farm machinery manufacturing plants closed. Rising production costs, drops in land value, stagnant prices, and staggering debt put the Buschkoetters and hundreds of thousands of others at risk. National farm policies and legislation attempted to address problems, but did little to prevent them and in some cases made them worse. Legislation gave the breaks to big farms, leaving the smaller family farms on the edge. Federal farm programs have historically benefited large farms the most.
Tax policies give large farmers greater incentives for capital purchases to expand their operations.
The report concluded with 142 recommendations for changes to current policy. Two thirds of farmers work jobs off the farm just to make ends meet. Today the Buschkoetters' dream is still intact. They also hope American viewers will share their concern about the future of the family farm in this country. 4-H provides local educational clubs to prepare and support rural youth for careers, builds awareness and develops leadership for the food, fiber and natural resource systems.