Group 9– Taylor Langford, Cody Stallings, Zane FlemingAGCM 3103Ann BusbyMarch 13, 2014The history and influence of Dust Bowl journalism on American cultureThe Dust Bowl of the 1930s will forever be remembered as one of the largest man-made disasters will have a permanent impact on America. With ever-increasing drought, lack of rain and over-plowing of the land, agriculture has become more than a job, it has turned into a killer. However, through photography, journalism and song we have been able to show others what can happen due to agricultural mistakes and pave the way for future generations. This article will discuss the Dust Bowl, how the government helped the cause through journalism, and what journalism did for agriculture then and now. The Dust Bowl occurred during the 1930s and lasted nearly a decade from 1931 to 1939, earning it the infamous title of the “Dirty Thirties.” .” Farmers on the Great Plains plowed their meadows very deeply to maintain the grain crop, but unlike previous years of adequate rainfall, the drought brought little or no water relief. The farmers became concerned and continued to dig deeper and deeper, eventually removing a very important layer of soil that was keeping the soil intact. Plains winds didn't help, kicking up exposed ground and creating dust storms that hit Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. These dark, dusty storms would suffocate livestock and humans, to the point where breathing was limited and death possible. The storm ruined people's homes, farms and lifestyles, making it difficult for them to provide for their families. As the dust storms continued among the families who eventually packed up and headed west to California in search of new life and opportunity... middle of paper... 44 personal, colorful, letters, songs and books people now had a better understanding of what was happening in the Midwest. America was forever changed by the acts of journalists and photographers. It has given people a new perspective on life and how quickly it can be swept away. The most important thing for farmers and ranchers was that it provided us with time and new farming techniques. We can now irrigate our farms and provide the moisture needed to ensure successful crops. The way we plow today has evolved over time to ensure we keep richer soil within the soil for better agricultural production. Additionally, this gave us the push for more photography and writing to better establish local and world news. Even as Americans faced such a change, it paved the way for where we are today and showed us new ways to better provide for our families and others around us.