The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was a U.S. federal government agency created during the Great Depression as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. It was designed to combat rural poverty and provide aid to tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and impoverished agricultural workers. In carrying out its objectives, the FSA sought to improve the economic stability and productivity of American agriculture.
History and Background
The Great Depression and New Deal
The Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash in 1929, led to widespread poverty and unemployment across the United States. In response, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration launched the New Deal, a series of programs, public work projects, and financial reforms aimed at economic recovery.
Formation of the FSA
The FSA was established in 1937, succeeding the Resettlement Administration, which was created in 1935. The main objective was to assist poor farmers and address the adverse impacts of the agricultural crisis. It was instrumental in providing low-interest loans, improving farm productivity, and promoting soil conservation practices.
Objectives and Programs
Financial Assistance
One of the FSA’s primary roles was to provide low-interest loans to farmers. These loans enabled farmers to purchase land, livestock, equipment, and seeds, thus stabilizing their agricultural operations.
Agricultural Reforms
Soil Conservation
The FSA promoted soil conservation techniques to combat the Dust Bowl conditions that devastated large areas of farmland. Farmers were educated on crop rotation, contour plowing, and other sustainable farming practices.
Cooperative Initiatives
The FSA encouraged the formation of cooperatives to help farmers collectively purchase supplies and market their products, thereby enhancing their bargaining power.
Resettlement Projects
The FSA also facilitated several resettlement projects, where displaced farmers were relocated to subsistence homesteads. These projects aimed to provide better living conditions and sustainable farming opportunities.
Notable Photographic Documentation
Photographic Division
A noteworthy aspect of the FSA was its photographic documentary project. Led by Roy Stryker, the FSA photographers, including Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans, captured powerful images depicting the harsh realities of rural life during the Depression. These photographs brought national attention to the plight of America’s rural poor and were instrumental in garnering public support for the FSA’s programs.
Legacy and Transition
Transition to FmHA
The FSA was dissolved in 1946 and its functions were transferred to the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). The legacy of the FSA was its groundbreaking efforts in transforming rural welfare and agricultural practices in the U.S.
Comparisons and Related Terms
Comparisons
- Resettlement Administration (RA): Predecessor to the FSA, focused on relocating struggling urban and rural families.
- Farmers Home Administration (FmHA): Successor of the FSA, continued to provide financial services to farmers.
Related Terms with Definitions
- New Deal: A series of programs and projects instituted during the Great Depression to restore economic stability in the U.S.
- Great Depression: A severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s.
- Dust Bowl: A period of severe dust storms causing major agricultural damage in the American prairies during the 1930s.
FAQs
What was the main purpose of the Farm Security Administration (FSA)?
What succeeded the FSA?
How did the FSA contribute to soil conservation?
References
- Library of Congress: The Farm Security Administration (FSA) Photographs
- National Archives: Records of the Farm Security Administration
- John, Joe. “The Rural New Deal: The Farm Security Administration in the Great Depression.” Agriculture History Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 4 (2020).
Summary
The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was a vital New Deal agency established during the Great Depression to support struggling farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Through various financial, educational, and resettlement programs, it aimed to alleviate rural poverty and enhance farm productivity. Its transition to the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) continued its legacy of rural economic assistance and agricultural development.
