In 1970, many Americans are examining anew the costs of achieving efficiency in agriculture through bigness. The exodus of small farmers continues--more than 2.7 million farmers have abandoned farming or sold out to bigger competitors since 1950--while Government agricultural policy remains attuned to the interests of large farmers. All small farmers have suffered from Government policy, but black farmers have been the chief victims. Agriculture is still one of the nation's largest employers, and farm work remains one of the most hazardous occupations. One-fourth of farm-wage workers are under 16 years of age; most children of farm workers suffer serious educational disadvantages; poor health, squalid housing, and powerlessness continue to be the lot of migrant workers; Federal Programs for migrants lack adequate funding and are often administered by state and local bodies unresponsive to migrant needs; and Congress has refused again to include farm workers in unemployment compensation coverage. One improvement, however, is the 1970 Housing Act which provides an increase in the maximum grant for construction of farm labor housing. Nontheless, progress in farm labor conditions has come primarily from the efforts of the poor themselves in organizing small farm cooperatives, self-help projects, and unions. A related document is ED 010 970. (JH)