State Historical Society of Iowa

Man Feeding Pigs in the Barnyard, ca. 1895

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Image
Adult man wearing bib overalls and holding an empty metal bushel basket seen standing in hog pen with about two dozen hogs likely feeding.
Courtesy of the State Historical Society of Iowa, ca. 1895

Description

#2 Occupation: Farm Laborer, Member of Farm Family
Farming was a very big job around 1900, requiring lots of hours and a great deal of hard work. Farmers typically raised crops such as corn, soybeans and oats and livestock such as cows, horses, hogs and chickens. Often, many people were needed to finish all of the jobs on a farm, and many times several family members all worked together to make the farm a success. This farmer is seen with an empty bushel basket that likely carried the corn he brought to feed the hogs.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • What is the working environment for this farm laborer?
  • What skills does this farm laborer need in order to be successful at his job?
  • Connect to what you already know. What do you think that a farmer did with the crops and animals they raised?