State Historical Society of Iowa

"Checking the Corn in Hills" in Jasper County, Iowa, May 1940

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The image shows a farmer behind a team of horses pulling a small planter behind them in May of 1940. The farmer appears to be checking to corn to make sure it’s planting.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Vachon, John, "Checking the corn in hills, Jasper County, Iowa," May 1940

Description

The photograph, taken by John Vachon, shows a farmer behind a team of horses pulling a small planter behind them in May 1940. The farmer appears to be checking the corn to make sure it is correctly planting.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • How did this farmer power his corn planter? Why would farmers use tractors today, as opposed to horse-drawn machinery?
  • Compare this photo to the Kaestner Family Farm. What is similar? What is different? How do these two photo indicate how food production has changed over time?

Citation Information 

Vachon, John, "Checking the corn in hills, Jasper County, Iowa," May 1940. Courtesy of Library of Congress