From Boom to Bust (and Back Again...Ish): Oklahoma's Harvest Rollercoaster (1929-1939)
Howdy, history buffs and farm-fact fanatics! Buckle up for a bumpy ride through the fields of Oklahoma, where the decade of the 1930s saw the total value of harvest crops take a wilder ride than a herd of cattle spooked by a jackrabbit.
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| What Was The Shift In Total Value Of Harvest Crops From 1929 To 1939 In Oklahoma |
The Roaring Twenties... Not So Roaring for Oklahoma
1929: Ah, the year before the Great Depression hit like a dust storm. Oklahoma farmers were feeling pretty smug. Cotton prices were high, thanks to a global demand for that fluffy white stuff. Farmers were planting acres and acres of the stuff, dreaming of swimming in a Scrooge McDuck money bin made of cotton bolls.
The Dust Bowl Blows In (Literally)
1930s: Then, quicker than you can say "grasshopper plague," the party came to a screeching halt. The Great Depression rolled in, taking crop prices with it. Cotton prices plummeted faster than a coyote chasing a roadrunner. To top it all off, a series of brutal droughts turned the once-fertile plains into a dust bowl. Crops withered, and farmers watched their dreams (and topsoil) literally blow away.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
The Joys (or Lack Thereof) of Diversification: Okay, so things weren't all doom and gloom. The Dust Bowl forced some Oklahomans to diversify their crops. They started planting wheat, sorghum, and even some veggies (crazy, right?). This helped a little, but overall, the total value of harvested crops in Oklahoma during the 1930s remained significantly lower than that golden year of 1929.
So, How Bad Was It Really?
The Numbers Don't Lie (But They Can Be Hard to Find): Unfortunately, tracking down the exact numbers for the total value shift is like trying to wrangle a greased pig. Finding historical agricultural data, especially at the state level, can be a challenge. However, you can bet your bottom dollar it was a significant decrease.
Tip: Bookmark this post to revisit later.
We Can Still Paint a Picture (Even Without a Paintbrush): While the exact numbers might be elusive, we know things got rough. Dust Bowl photos speak volumes about the devastation, and stories of Okie migration during the Depression paint a clear picture of economic hardship.
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FAQ: Oklahoma's Farming Follies (and How to Learn More!)
How to Learn More About Oklahoma's Agricultural History?
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
- Check out the Oklahoma Historical Society website or visit their museums for exhibits on farming and the Dust Bowl.
- The National Archives might have some dusty old reports on agricultural production in Oklahoma.
- Dive into historical newspapers – they often reported on crop prices and farm conditions.
How to Deal with a Dust Storm (Just in Case)?
- Stay indoors and close windows.
- Wear a mask or bandana to protect your lungs from dust particles.
- Don't drive unless absolutely necessary – visibility can be terrible.
How to Grow Crops During a Drought?
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
- Consider drought-resistant crops.
- Utilize water conservation techniques like drip irrigation.
- Plant cover crops to retain moisture in the soil.
How to Avoid Another Dust Bowl?
- Sustainable farming practices that focus on soil health are key.
- Diversifying crops can help mitigate risk during droughts and economic downturns.
- Maybe avoid planting only one super water-intensive crop during a multi-year drought (just a thought).
Hopefully, this little jaunt through Oklahoma's agricultural rollercoaster has been informative and entertaining. Remember, even though times were tough, the Okie spirit persevered!
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