Canners and Seed Loans from the Department of Agriculture Saved Farms During the Depression Era

In 1929 at the very beginning of the Depression era my father moved us to Louisiana. I remember taking 1/2 dozen eggs to the store to trade for a tablet or pencils for school, perhaps I had a nickel left over for a candy bar.

We got seed loans which were paid back after the crop was harvested. Canners were furnished by the Dept. of Agriculture for canning and sealers and pressure canners at central locations. Everyone brought their garden vegetables and helped each other can them for winter. These were enjoyable times for we could visit with our friends while working - many hands make light work.

I'm glad we experienced those days of working together and the simple pleasures we had. Thank God for President Roosevelt, who led the nation through the great depression and later World War II.

Lydia Jones 
Medicine Lodge, Kansas

Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.