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This study examiners several hypotheses concerning Small-scale farmers and the degree to which a farm background is related to identification with farming, farm activities, agrarian value orientations, and attitudes towards local agriculture service agencies. The question that is addressed is whether or not those without farm backgrounds have a different orientation to farming than those who grew up on farms. Data for the analysis were obtained from a 1980 survey of 348 small farmer in Illinois. Loglinear analysis is utilized to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that those from nonfarm backgrounds do not differ in their choice of farm enterprises. However they do tend to be somewhat less "agrarian" their values than those who were raised on the farm. They also tend to have a lower level of identification with farming and are less likely to view agriculture service agencies as helpful. The study concludes that are differences based on farm or nonfarm origins, but these are very subtle differences, which tend to be attitudinal rather than behavioral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]