Agricultural Adjustment Administration

Agricultural Adjustment Administration
U.S. Government · Public domain · source
Agency name	Agricultural Adjustment Administration
Formed	May 12, 1933
Dissolved	1942
Superseding	United States Department of Agriculture
Jurisdiction	United States
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Parent agency	New Deal
Child agency	Soil Conservation Service

Agricultural Adjustment Administration was a federal agency established as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program to help farmers struggling during the Great Depression. The agency was created on May 12, 1933, with the goal of raising farm prices by reducing crop production and paying farmers to leave a portion of their land idle. This effort was led by Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace, who worked closely with Rexford Tugwell and other prominent figures, including Milton Eisenhower and Mordecai Ezekiel. The agency's efforts were also influenced by the work of Hugh Hammond Bennett and the Soil Conservation Service.

● History

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was established in response to the severe economic conditions faced by farmers during the Great Depression, which was exacerbated by the Dust Bowl and other environmental disasters. The agency's history is closely tied to the New Deal programs implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt, including the National Industrial Recovery Act and the National Recovery Administration, which were led by figures such as Hugh S. Johnson and Donald Richberg. The agency's early efforts were focused on implementing the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which was signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 12, 1933, and was influenced by the work of John Maynard Keynes and other economists, including Alvin Hansen and Gardiner Means. The agency worked closely with other government agencies, including the United States Department of Agriculture, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which were led by figures such as Harry Hopkins and Robert Fechner.

● Purpose and Goals

The primary purpose of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration was to raise farm prices by reducing crop production and paying farmers to leave a portion of their land idle. The agency's goals were to increase farm income, reduce farm debt, and improve the overall economic conditions of rural areas, which were heavily impacted by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The agency's efforts were influenced by the work of economists such as John Maynard Keynes and Alvin Hansen, who advocated for government intervention in the economy to stabilize prices and incomes. The agency worked closely with other government agencies, including the Federal Reserve System, the Treasury Department, and the Department of Commerce, which were led by figures such as Marriner Eccles and Henry Morgenthau Jr.. The agency's goals were also influenced by the work of Rexford Tugwell and other prominent figures, including Milton Eisenhower and Mordecai Ezekiel, who played important roles in shaping the agency's policies.

● Programs and Policies

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration implemented a number of programs and policies to achieve its goals, including the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which authorized the agency to pay farmers to reduce crop production and implement soil conservation measures. The agency also established the Commodity Credit Corporation, which provided financing for farmers to store crops and stabilize prices, and was influenced by the work of Jesse Jones and other prominent figures. The agency worked closely with other government agencies, including the Soil Conservation Service, the United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation, which were led by figures such as Hugh Hammond Bennett and Floyd Dominy. The agency's programs and policies were also influenced by the work of Henry A. Wallace and other prominent figures, including Milton Eisenhower and Mordecai Ezekiel, who played important roles in shaping the agency's policies.

● Impact and Legacy

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration had a significant impact on the agricultural sector and the overall economy, helping to raise farm prices and reduce farm debt. The agency's efforts also helped to improve soil conservation and reduce erosion, which was a major problem during the Dust Bowl. The agency's legacy can be seen in the continued importance of agricultural price supports and soil conservation programs, which are still in place today and are influenced by the work of Orville Freeman and other prominent figures. The agency's impact was also felt in the development of subsequent agricultural policies, including the Agricultural Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949, which were influenced by the work of Henry A. Wallace and other prominent figures. The agency's legacy is also reflected in the work of organizations such as the National Farmers Union and the American Farm Bureau Federation, which were influenced by the agency's efforts.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was not without its criticisms and controversies, with some arguing that the agency's policies benefited large farmers at the expense of small farmers and sharecroppers. The agency was also criticized for its handling of the Dust Bowl, with some arguing that the agency's policies exacerbated the problem. The agency's efforts were also influenced by the work of C. B. Baldwin and other prominent figures, who played important roles in shaping the agency's policies. The agency was also criticized by figures such as Father Charles Coughlin and Huey Long, who argued that the agency's policies were not doing enough to help small farmers and the poor. The agency's controversies were also reflected in the work of organizations such as the Southern Tenant Farmers Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which were influenced by the agency's efforts.

● Reorganization and Dissolution

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was reorganized and eventually dissolved in 1942, with its functions transferred to the United States Department of Agriculture. The agency's reorganization was influenced by the work of Claude Wickard and other prominent figures, who played important roles in shaping the agency's policies. The agency's dissolution was also influenced by the work of Paul Appleby and other prominent figures, who argued that the agency's functions could be more effectively carried out by other government agencies. The agency's legacy continues to be felt in the agricultural sector and the overall economy, with many of its programs and policies still in place today and influencing the work of organizations such as the Farm Credit Administration and the Rural Electrification Administration. The agency's reorganization and dissolution were also reflected in the work of figures such as Harry Truman and Henry A. Wallace, who played important roles in shaping the agency's policies and legacy. Category:Agriculture in the United States