Charlie Fenster Interview Transcript
"I did live through the dust bowl of the dirty thirties and did considerable work on wind erosion at the University of Nebraska. Some of the work was done on Dr. Baltensperger's farm in Kimball County, Nebraska. Several books have [been] published on the dust, such as 'The Worst Hard Time' by T. Egan and 'The Dust Bowl' by Ken Burns."
"The dust bowl of the 30's was very severe because of the methods of farming at that time. Also, the recession beginning with the stock market crash of 1929, was an economic crisis." |
"During the dust bowl of the 30’s, I was on a farm northwest of Chappell, NE. We had severe erosion in the area. I was born in 1919... Graduated from high school in 1936. In 1937 worked on a Turkey farm. Because of drought, we had very little crop production. Russian Thistles and Kochia [short, scrubby weed] was [sic] the main plant growth and often was used for cattle feed. From 1937 to 1941 went to University of Nebraska. Got a degree in Vocational Agriculture. 1942 to 1945 taught vocational agriculture in eastern Nebraska."
"I did work for the AAA [Agricultural Adjustment Act] in the summer of 1938 during summer vacation from college."
"The farming techniques that caused the dust bowl was the plow and the people. Much of the semi-arid region of the Great Plains was settled in the teens and 20’s. The people came from much higher rainfall areas east of the 98th meridian or directly from Europe. They also were using highly diversified cropping systems, much of which did not leave much residue on the soil surface. They also were using a lot of animal power which required crops that removed much of the vegetative material from the soil surface. With limited moisture and very little vegetative residue on the soil surface, wind and water erosion became a serious problem."
"Dust bowl changed farming – Crop production was low. Also a real factor in the economy was the depression in the 30’s. Stock market crashed in 1929. Many of the banks went broke. Bank Holiday did not come in until the middle 30’s, which [did] help to save banks."
"Also in the 30’s world economy was a real factor, so farm prices were low. In the late 30’s some crops were grown, but farm markets were low. Grain and livestock prices were very low."
"Technology certainly changed agriculture. The WPA [Works Progress Administration], AAA, farm programs and Universities certainly made a difference. The Soil Erosion [Service] was established in 1935, which became the Soil Conservation Service in 1937. Working closely with the Universities through research and extension put emphasis on erosion control and better use of the limited moisture that was prevalent in the semi arid region of the Great Plains. Programs were developed to better utilize the limited moisture that fell during the year."
"Also cropping systems went from highly diversified farming to intensified cropping systems. Much of [the] dry land went to a wheat-fallow system, rather than a number of crops which were grown each year in a continuous cropping system. The fallow system led to conserving soil moisture for a 14 month fallow period and then 10 months in winter wheat or spring wheat. Also tractors replace animal power, so crops were not used to feed the animals. Farmers specialized in crop production rather than growing crops for livestock production."
"Strip cropping in 10 to 20 rods strips with alternate of wheat fallow became prevalent in many areas."
"Wind erosion was addressed with strip cropping, surface roughness, clods and above all, make crops grow. Developing cultural practices to better utilize soil moisture was essential for erosion control."
"Stubble much farming was providing a protective cover of vegetation on the soil surface at all times, even in the growing crops. Blade machines, one-way disc, chisel plows and rod weeders were effective in keeping residues on the soil surface. In the 70’, herbicides, such [as] glyphosate, was [sic] important in keeping vegetative residues on the soil surface. Seeding equipment to seed into soils with residues or no-till were developed to keep the vegetative cover on the soil surface."
"Contour farming and terracing helped to reduce runoff. For a good conservation of the soil, you need a good cultural program [and] to have good vegetative cover."
"Research and Educational programs were very important to develop a cultural program to utilize the limited moisture that falls during the fall period. The varieties, date, rate and method of seeding, fertilizer, weed control, cropping systems were all apart of the erosion control."
"During the thirties was the worse situation for agriculture in the Semi-arid region of the Great Plains. The depression also was a big factor and the lack of technology at the time."
"Remembrance- The dust storms that would cause total darkness in the middle of a sunny day, the grasshoppers, jack rabbits, little or no crops. machinery covered with blowing soil, and no money. People relied on poultry, livestock and gardening for food and “trading” for necessities."
"Government programs: Agricultural Research through Universities, ARS [Agricultural Research Service], and Industry. It was a team effort. My work was a team effort of Universities, ARS, Soil Conservation Service, ASCS [Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service],Industry and Key Farmers."
"I did work for the AAA [Agricultural Adjustment Act] in the summer of 1938 during summer vacation from college."
"The farming techniques that caused the dust bowl was the plow and the people. Much of the semi-arid region of the Great Plains was settled in the teens and 20’s. The people came from much higher rainfall areas east of the 98th meridian or directly from Europe. They also were using highly diversified cropping systems, much of which did not leave much residue on the soil surface. They also were using a lot of animal power which required crops that removed much of the vegetative material from the soil surface. With limited moisture and very little vegetative residue on the soil surface, wind and water erosion became a serious problem."
"Dust bowl changed farming – Crop production was low. Also a real factor in the economy was the depression in the 30’s. Stock market crashed in 1929. Many of the banks went broke. Bank Holiday did not come in until the middle 30’s, which [did] help to save banks."
"Also in the 30’s world economy was a real factor, so farm prices were low. In the late 30’s some crops were grown, but farm markets were low. Grain and livestock prices were very low."
"Technology certainly changed agriculture. The WPA [Works Progress Administration], AAA, farm programs and Universities certainly made a difference. The Soil Erosion [Service] was established in 1935, which became the Soil Conservation Service in 1937. Working closely with the Universities through research and extension put emphasis on erosion control and better use of the limited moisture that was prevalent in the semi arid region of the Great Plains. Programs were developed to better utilize the limited moisture that fell during the year."
"Also cropping systems went from highly diversified farming to intensified cropping systems. Much of [the] dry land went to a wheat-fallow system, rather than a number of crops which were grown each year in a continuous cropping system. The fallow system led to conserving soil moisture for a 14 month fallow period and then 10 months in winter wheat or spring wheat. Also tractors replace animal power, so crops were not used to feed the animals. Farmers specialized in crop production rather than growing crops for livestock production."
"Strip cropping in 10 to 20 rods strips with alternate of wheat fallow became prevalent in many areas."
"Wind erosion was addressed with strip cropping, surface roughness, clods and above all, make crops grow. Developing cultural practices to better utilize soil moisture was essential for erosion control."
"Stubble much farming was providing a protective cover of vegetation on the soil surface at all times, even in the growing crops. Blade machines, one-way disc, chisel plows and rod weeders were effective in keeping residues on the soil surface. In the 70’, herbicides, such [as] glyphosate, was [sic] important in keeping vegetative residues on the soil surface. Seeding equipment to seed into soils with residues or no-till were developed to keep the vegetative cover on the soil surface."
"Contour farming and terracing helped to reduce runoff. For a good conservation of the soil, you need a good cultural program [and] to have good vegetative cover."
"Research and Educational programs were very important to develop a cultural program to utilize the limited moisture that falls during the fall period. The varieties, date, rate and method of seeding, fertilizer, weed control, cropping systems were all apart of the erosion control."
"During the thirties was the worse situation for agriculture in the Semi-arid region of the Great Plains. The depression also was a big factor and the lack of technology at the time."
"Remembrance- The dust storms that would cause total darkness in the middle of a sunny day, the grasshoppers, jack rabbits, little or no crops. machinery covered with blowing soil, and no money. People relied on poultry, livestock and gardening for food and “trading” for necessities."
"Government programs: Agricultural Research through Universities, ARS [Agricultural Research Service], and Industry. It was a team effort. My work was a team effort of Universities, ARS, Soil Conservation Service, ASCS [Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service],Industry and Key Farmers."
"The semi arid [area] of the Great Plains – the area where the precipitation is less than 20 inches... per year – is located west of the 98th meridian [the longitudinal line that runs through the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas]. This area was primarily settled in the early 1900. A lot of the land was plowed up in large areas and planted to wheat along with other dryland crops. Most of the early settlers came from higher rainfall areas, which was east of the 98th meridian or directly from Europe. They tried to farm the land, the same as from where they came from as well as farm to provide feed for animal power and subsistence standard of living. This included a number of crops, that were not well adapted to the drier climate and the shorter growing season. Most of these crops did not provide much crop residue, especially crops used for grazing and forage of livestock."
"The dirty 30’s with low precipitation and the recession left the land very susceptible to wind erosion. The black blizzards resulted."
"The federal government with leaders like Hugh Bennett developed government programs to control erosion. Bennett went before congress when the halls of congress was invaded with dust from the Great Plains. Congress passed a bill to established the SES (Soil Erosion Service) in 1935. In 1937, it became the SCS (Soil Conservation Service) A research program was developed to control both wind and water erosion through out the semi-arid region. Considerable emphasis was placed on soil surface cover, surface roughness, strip cropping, shelter belts and growing crops that would make better use of the limited moisture of the region. Summer fallow was introduced to produce a more profitable crop. This resulted in one year fallow followed by a more productive crop, the following year. Also developing cultural practices, crops and varieties that would be more productive under the limited rainfall. Also crops that would be more adapted to the environment and maintain a condition to protect the soil."
"Government programs certain was [sic] a big factor in controlling the dust bowl. Research, Education and programs to encourage farmers to utilize erosion control practices. Paying farmers to strip crop land, use of surface roughness, seeding land back to grass, summer fallowing, shelterbelts was [sic] some of the programs that were used to control erosion."
"There was a team effort of the Universities, farm organizations such as the FARM Bureau, Farmers Union, government organizations including USDA, ARS, SCS, AAA-ASCS, FHA, Forest Service, etc. Industry was also a part in developing equipment and programs to improve farming practices of the area."
"The dirty 30’s with low precipitation and the recession left the land very susceptible to wind erosion. The black blizzards resulted."
"The federal government with leaders like Hugh Bennett developed government programs to control erosion. Bennett went before congress when the halls of congress was invaded with dust from the Great Plains. Congress passed a bill to established the SES (Soil Erosion Service) in 1935. In 1937, it became the SCS (Soil Conservation Service) A research program was developed to control both wind and water erosion through out the semi-arid region. Considerable emphasis was placed on soil surface cover, surface roughness, strip cropping, shelter belts and growing crops that would make better use of the limited moisture of the region. Summer fallow was introduced to produce a more profitable crop. This resulted in one year fallow followed by a more productive crop, the following year. Also developing cultural practices, crops and varieties that would be more productive under the limited rainfall. Also crops that would be more adapted to the environment and maintain a condition to protect the soil."
"Government programs certain was [sic] a big factor in controlling the dust bowl. Research, Education and programs to encourage farmers to utilize erosion control practices. Paying farmers to strip crop land, use of surface roughness, seeding land back to grass, summer fallowing, shelterbelts was [sic] some of the programs that were used to control erosion."
"There was a team effort of the Universities, farm organizations such as the FARM Bureau, Farmers Union, government organizations including USDA, ARS, SCS, AAA-ASCS, FHA, Forest Service, etc. Industry was also a part in developing equipment and programs to improve farming practices of the area."