The Great Depression, the Family Farm and the New Deal

Although the Great Depression began in 1929, hard times had started about ten years earlier for many rural farmers. The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was created in 1933 to come to the aid of agricultural workers and family farmers. For most people in the United States, the start of the Great Depression was October 29, 1929. On that day, the value of stocks traded in the New York Stock Exchange dropped dramatically. Banks and investment companies that had put money in stocks lost fortunes. Factories began to close, laying off workers. Hard times were coming. However, hard times had started about ten years earlier for farmers in the Midwest. In 1933, as part of the New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration undertook the most far-reaching land reform and planning program in modern American history. One of the new agencies was the FSA, the Farm Security Administration. The FSA's goal was to come to the aid of agricultural workers and family farmers.

The stock market crash of 1929 was like a double whammy on farmers who had been struggling since the early 1920s. With nearly one-fourth of the population working in agriculture, a farm sector in turmoil thundered its way through the nation's economy. Fueled by terrible unemployment and long food lines, fear spread throughout the entire country. By the early 1930s, nearly everyone was affected.

Neil Harl: "Everyone realized it was a time of desperation really, a time when individuals were vulnerable. There was not much they could do about that vulnerability except try to survive."

In 1933, as part of the New Deal, Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration undertook the most far-reaching land reform and planning program in modern American history. One of the new agencies was the FSA, the Farm Security Administration. The FSA's goal was to come to the aid of agricultural workers and tenant and family farmers.