Public Reactions
1977 Crop Failure (Des Moines Register Photo Archive)
Activism
Throughout the crisis, desperate farmers and others concerned about their plight joined together at tractorcades, rallies, and concerts to raise awareness about the need for government intervention and funding for programs that supported farmers.
(Cedar Rapids Gazette, 23 July 1978)
"Tractors, one flying the flag of the American Agriculture Movement, on their way to the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., during the 'Tractorcade' protests of February 1979." (Library of Congress)
"Everyone [in the tractorcade] has one purpose in mind. It goes beyond dollars in their pockets—it's a way of life and a nation we are proud of that we are attempting to save."
-Beverly Snyder, Tractorcade Diary, 22 January 1979 (Kinsley Public Library, 1979)
"First 'Farm Aid' Concert" (Farm Aid, 22 September 1985)
(Austin Daily Texan, 28 February 1985)
"America Needs Farmers began in 1985, in the midst of the crisis that claimed thousands of Iowa farms." (Farm Bureau, 15 October 2011)
"Youth call awareness to economic problems facing the family farm." (Wisconsin Historical Society, 1985)
"This marks a historic turning point for rural America. We're ready to fight back, to organize to protect our business and our way of life."
-Dixon Terry, Iowa Farm Unity Coalition Leader (Los Angeles Times, 28 February 1985)
Communication
Numerous farmers, their families, and citizens affected by the crisis pleaded for government intervention to stop farm foreclosures and aid rural America.
"It is a fight from year to year just to survive. We need help and soon...Please listen to this cry for help from the heartland of America."
-Mrs. Witt, Clinton, Iowa, Letter to Governor Branstad (State Historical Society of Iowa, 18 October 1985)
-Sandra, Maxwell, Iowa, Letter to Governor Branstad (State Historical Society of Iowa, 30 September 1985)
-Todd Bates, Osage, Iowa, Letter to Governor Branstad (State Historical Society of Iowa, 17 September 1985)
"These pigs are depressed because of the farm economy—What can you & I together do about it?" -Tim Patterson, Dubuque, Iowa, Postcard to Governor Branstad (State Historical Society of Iowa, 28 October 1985)
"I remember [a town hall meeting] in Oelwein, Iowa. This woman came up to me, and she said they were being foreclosed...She had contacted Don Avenson, who was her state representative, and nothing had been done...That was just one of many situations, and we had a lot of people...sharing with me the gut-wrenching stories they were going through."
-Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Oral History Interview (State Historical Society of Iowa, 29 November 2022)
However, because the 1980s crisis harmed rural Americans and not everyone like the 1930s crisis, those unaffected opposed government assistance. They argued conditions weren't that bad, farmers caused their own financial woes, and tax dollars were better spent on other services.
(Des Moines Register, 5 August 1985)
-Gary Karsten, Manilla, Iowa, Letter to Governor Branstad (State Historical Society of Iowa, 9 March 1985)
-Edward Durley, Niagara Falls, NY, Letter to Governor Branstad (State Historical Society of Iowa, 3 January 1986)
"Tell the farmers they got themselves into debt so get busy and work it out. Quit expecting one man to solve farmer problems and quit blaming one man for them."
-Oliver Pickrell, Fontanelle, Iowa, Letter to Governor Branstad (State Historical Society of Iowa, 1 March 1986)