A Special and Terrible Irony: Hunger on Iowa's Farms during the Agricultural Crisis of the 1980s, 2019

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Courtesy of Riney-Kehrberg, Pamela. “A Special and Terrible Irony.” The Annals of Iowa

Description

An article written by Pamela Riney-Kehrberg from Iowa State University that talks about the struggles of the Iowa farmer during the 1980’s Farm Crisis. Discussed in the article are some of the factors that led to the Farm Crisis, the impact on Iowa farmers and the agricultural economy, and ways in which Iowa farmers attempted to adjust and survive. Riney-Kehrberg also discusses some of the various reactions and support efforts of Iowa citizens during this time. 

Full Transcript of A Special and Terrible Irony: Hunger on Iowa's Farms during the Agricultural Crisis of the 1980s, 2019

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Source-Dependent Questions

• According to the article, how the agricultural policies of the 1970s contribute to the farm crisis of the 1980s?
• What were some of the effects on Iowa farms and the agricultural economy as a result of the factors listed in this article?
• How is it possible for farmers to go without food? What does farmers going hungry tell you about what kinds of crops are grown by most farmers in Iowa?
• How does the quote about ‘the special irony of hunger’ and the poem about Iowa farmers exemplify the paradox of the impact of the Iowa Farm Crisis on Iowan farmers?

Citation Information

Riney-Kehrberg, Pamela. “A Special and Terrible Irony.” The Annals of Iowa, vol. 78, no. 4, 2019, pp. 361–390., doi:10.17077/0003-4827.12611.