The investigation upon which this report is based, was made by interviewing 504 farmers who had begun farming as independent operators since 1930. The primary objectives were as follows:

1. To discover the problems which present major difficulties to young farmers in Iowa in their endeavor to become established in farming as independent operators.

2. To discover the ways and means commonly employed by beginning farmers in solving the problems encountered.

3. To ascertain the degree of success which is achieved by the typical young farmer in Iowa in solving the problems and overcoming the difficulties attendant upon establishment in farming.

4. To ascertain the nature and extent of the formal educational experiences of the typical beginning farmer in Iowa, and to reveal the deficiencies therein in the light of the problems he is called upon to solve in the process of becoming established in farming.