The film presents the social and economic history of the Great Plains -- from the time of the settlement of the prairies, through the World War I boom, to the years of depression and drought. The first part of the film shows cattle as they grazed on grasslands, and homesteaders who hurried onto the plains and grew large wheat crops. The second part depicts the postwar decline of the wheat market, which resulted in overproduction. Footage shows farm equipment used, then abandoned. The third part shows a dust storm as it rendered a farm useless. Subsequent scenes show farmers as they left their homes and headed west.

National Archives Identifier: 13595

Local Identifier: 96.2

* Creator(s): Department of Agriculture. Farm Security Administration. Information Division. (ca. 1937 - ca. 1942) (Most Recent)

* From: Series : Motion Picture Films, compiled ca. 1936 - 1937

* Record Group 96: Records of the Farmers Home Administration, 1918 - 1975

* Level of Description: Item

* Type(s) of Archival Materials: Moving Images

* This item was produced or created: ca. 1937

The creator compiled or maintained the series between: ca. 1936 - 1937

* Access Restriction(s): Unrestricted

* Use Restriction(s): Undetermined

Edited: Edited

Sound Type: Sound

* Online Resource(s): Amazon 

A DVD of this film can be ordered from our partner, Amazon.com/NATIONALARCHIVES. A DVD of this film is ALSO available for viewing and copying free of charge in the NARA Research Room in the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Records Section, National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD.

* Contributors to Authorship and/or Production of the Archival Material(s): Lorentz, Pare, 1905-1992, Author of screenplay

* Lorentz, Pare, 1905-1992, Director