This volume investigates the systematic application of business management principles to agricultural operations to improve profitability and long-term viability. The editor, Deborah Takiff Smith, compiles contributions from agricultural experts and economists to provide a comprehensive framework for farm planning. The text emphasizes data-driven decision-making, resource allocation, and the integration of modern financial strategies into traditional farming practices.

This yearbook is recognized as a foundational reference for understanding the economic landscape of late 20th-century American agriculture. Readers frequently note the practical, administrative focus of the text, which remains useful for those interested in the historical evolution of farm business management.