Research Briefs Addressed Farm Childcare Challenges
New study data highlights how families across 47 states are balancing agricultural work and child safety.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Child Care
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Should federal and state policies do more to support childcare access for rural farming families?
Pennsylvania State University has published five research briefs detailing the childcare experiences of 860 farm households across the United States. The findings provide new insight into how families manage professional responsibilities alongside their children's safety.
Why it matters
The project sought to identify ways to support family well-being and farm business viability. These findings highlight how labor and safety logistics uniquely impact the economic health and daily operations of agricultural households.
Data collected during the winter of 2023 shows that 77% of respondents modified work responsibilities to manage childcare, while 62% expressed significant concerns regarding child injury on the farm.
The players
Pennsylvania State University
A public research university that focuses on agricultural education and serves as the publisher of the new farm family childcare briefs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The national public health agency that provided funding for the research to improve safety and well-being outcomes for rural families.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The federal agency tasked with supporting the viability of agricultural businesses and rural communities through policy and research funding.
The details
The project, which began in 2020, conducted a national survey to map the intersection of agricultural labor and family care needs. Researchers produced the five briefs to analyze these survey responses and identify systemic gaps in support for farm families. The work was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to better understand the logistical strain on these households.
Timeline
The research project began in 2020.
Data collection for the national survey occurred in the winter of 2023.
Research briefs were published in October 2026.
The Home Front
These findings provide a critical baseline for understanding how childcare needs influence the long-term viability of small-scale agriculture. The data marks a departure from traditional economic analysis by centering family safety and childcare logistics as core components of farm success.
Farm families can review the published research to see how peers are navigating similar work-life integration challenges. Using these insights can help your household evaluate current labor strategies and prioritize safety measures in high-activity zones around the farm.
The takeaway
The research highlights that nearly two-thirds of farm families are managing significant safety concerns while balancing daily labor. For families, the key is to prioritize clear communication of work schedules and designated safe zones for children to mitigate the risk of injury during peak seasons.
Further reading
For more information on balancing home and work needs, visit our Child Care section.
More information
You can access farm family research briefs through the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Madison's Country Q106.
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Should federal and state policies do more to support childcare access for rural farming families?
