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Farm Security Administration

United States history
Also known as: FSA, Resettlement Administration

Quick Summary

The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was a United States government agency established in 1937 during the Great Depression. Its primary mission was to combat rural poverty by providing assistance to struggling farmers and sharecroppers. The FSA is particularly known for its extensive photographic project, which documented the harsh realities of American rural life. Photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans captured iconic images that aimed to raise public awareness and garner support for government relief programs.12

The FSA's work was part of the broader New Deal initiatives aimed at economic recovery and social reform. While the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) focused on raising crop prices by reducing production, the FSA concentrated on the human element, providing aid and documenting the plight of those most affected by the economic downturn. The agency's efforts helped to shape public perception and policy regarding agricultural and rural issues in the United States.342

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