Homes for Farm Families

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 73, Issue 6, 16 December 1946, Page 594

Homes for Farm Families

A REPORT on farm housing issued x by the United States Department of Agriculture stated that of the ■ 6,500,000 dwellings only one-third were classified as “acceptable”, one-third needed major alterations or repairs, and the others were in such a poor condition or’ so small as to be unfit for human habitation. Intensive surveys of farm housing were carried out. One study/concerned the functions of the farm house, and opinions on housing needs were collected from farm housewives in 44 States. Another study was made of the storage and cupboard requirements of a farm house, and 2,294 replies from housewives were analysed by the Department. A third study was conducted to determine farm families’ ideas of the minimum standards of comfort and convenience for a country home. This mass of information, collected entirely from farm families, has been used as the basis for bulletins and . reports which are available to anyone who wishes to build, renovate, or improve a farm house. Conditions in New Zealand certainly ma not be so extreme; there is probably not so much variation in the conditions and quality of farm housing, and the standard of the majority of houses may be higher. But undoubtedly there are many houses which could be greatly improved, and certainly many new farm homesteads will be built in the near future. To meet the need for help with these undertakings the Department of ‘ ; ... x North Auckland and Auckland: i '• . Taranaki, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Nelson, and Marlborough: Canterbury, Westland, Otago, and Southland. .

Agriculture wants to introduce a new service which will provide plans for houses of various sizes suitable for farm family requirements, and suggestions for renovating and remodelling older existing houses. The Rural Sociology Section has prepared a questionnaire which seeks information about the size, condition, and equipment of farm houses and the preferences of country, people in floor plan, size, number, and type ,of ■ rooms, porches or verandahs, means of heating, fixtures, storage requirements,. etc. When the completed forms have been collected and analysed the Department intends to. have plans prepared which will reflect New Zealand farm families’ own preferences and requirementsin fact, they will be plans for country homes ; designed by country people to meet their special needs instead of plans devised by people who are not intimately familiar, with the daily routine of . farm home ■ life. Your opinions and your ideas are sought.. Will you help to formulate these house plans and suggestions? Any information you give will be regarded as confidential. Fill in the application form for a questionnaire; below and post it to the Rural Sociologist for your district. The Rural Sociologists will also answer inquiries from country women about nutrition, preparation and pre- • serving of food, and home management generally. Make use of this service. Rural Sociologist, Department of Agriculture, AUCKLAND. Rural Sociologist, Department of Agriculture, WELLINGTON. • Rural Sociologist, Department of Agriculture, CHRISTCHURCH.