Back to Collections

Snapshot: Destitute Farmers Visiting FSA Offices Seeking Relief Grants, 1937-1939

16 photos

Waiting for relief checks. Calipatria, California

Pea pickers waiting at Farm Security Administration (FSA) office for issue of surplus commodities. Calipatria, California

Bakersfield, California. Applications for "grants" during cotton pickers' strike

Warehouse, used as distributing office for Farm Security Administration (FSA) relief grants of commodities to destitute farm labor families during cotton strike of October 1938. Bakersfield, California

Mexicans, field laborers, on strike in cotton picking season, apply to Farm Security Administration (FSA) for relief. Bakersfield, California

The commodities on the counter represent two weeks allotment for four people. Photograph made in Farm Security Administration (FSA) distributing station for emergency grants of food and clothing to destitute agricultural workers. Bakersfield, California

Lineup outside of Farm Security Administration grant office (relief to farm laborers) early in the morning, before the office has opened. Tulare, California

During the cotton strike, the father, a striking picker, has left his wife and child in the car while he applies to the Farm Security Administration for an emergency food grant. Shafter, California

Destitute farm labor families come to Farm Security Administration distributing depot to apply for food grant. Kern County, California

Drought refugees waiting for relief checks. Calipatria, California

Waiting for relief checks. Calipatria, California

Waiting for relief checks. Calipatria, California. Imperial Valley

Waiting for relief checks. Calipatria, California

Waiting for the relief checks at Calipatria, California

Waiting for the semi-monthly relief checks at Calipatria, California

Outside the Farm Security Administration (FSA) grant office during pea harvest. Calipatria, California. During the spring of 1938 for the first time the labor surplus has grown so large that relief grants were necessary even during the peak of harvest