A stratified random sample of 69 6 workers in 361 households in Kern County, California, was selected to investigate the changes in labor use resulting from farm mechanization, and to explore the trend towards a stable labor force. Some major findings were: (1) Mechanization of the cotton harvest has erased the high peak of seasonal farm labor, (2) Management of labor recruitment can lead to the development of a dependable local labor force, (3) Much of the problem is due to migrant crews moving over the state and taking jobs away from local workers, (5) The seasonal work force is greatly under-utilized, (6) Underemployment is largely due to prejudices of workers against certain kinds of farm work, (7) A work program, including learning marketable skills would assist in meeting farm labor family needs. Some recommended activities useful in stabilizing local labor supply were: (1) increased activity by grower groups in recruiting and handling labor, (2) experimentation with crews trained to do all types of farm jobs, (3) development of new crops and varieties to smooth out the work year, and (4) in-migration of new workers willing to do all farm jobs. A related document in this series is available as VT 006 536. (DM)