Lessons from the Dust Bowl

This chapter examines the historical events surrounding the Dust Bowl, portraying it as a crucial man-made environmental disaster during the Great Depression. It discusses the impact of unsustainable farming practices and government interventions through the Farm Bill, highlighting the systemic failures and misconceptions that exacerbated the crisis. The chapter also reflects on the transformative effects of World War II on American agriculture and the evolving philosophy regarding farmland management and ecological sustainability.