Harvest of Hazards: Family Farming, Accidents, and Expertise in the Corn Belt, 1940–1975 by Derek S. Oden (review)

This book explores a seemingly banal topic in a thorough, well-written, and deeply researched manner. Derek Oden, associate professor of history at Del Mar College, provides a fine review of the neglected subject of family farming and agricultural hazards in the mid-twentieth century. Following the Second World War, increasing mechanization and chemical use increased dangers to farm families. In response, private and public organizations tried to reduce injuries and fatalities. In the three decades after the war, groups ranging from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to Future Farmers of America (FFA), as well as universities, spread a message that emphasized the importance of safety. Many farmers, however, were skeptical about or hostile toward regulation of their businesses. Although their independent enterprises gave them more autonomy than most workers, they were more vulnerable to accidents and injuries than workers in industries with more oversight.

Farm families had always faced hazards, working outside during inclement weather and often under time constraints. Farm animals could be dangerous as well, spreading disease or injuring people. Economic stress, such as low profit margins or an urge to reduce costs, often led to the use of inexperienced child workers or led people to labor during bad weather. Many farmers also held second jobs, especially those who had small acreages. They often suffered from fatigue, working at their farms after holding down a full-time job. Some elderly farmers never retired and became increasingly susceptible to accidents as they aged.

Industrial agriculture increased these dangers. New motorized equipment proved deadly when combined with long hours and frenzied work schedules. Farm equipment could crush workers who were trapped under machinery, or it could pull them into rapidly moving machine parts. Corn pickers could quickly sever a finger or mangle an arm. Indeed, Illinois farmers suffered 235 corn-picking accidents in 1951. Chemicals also proved perilous, even as they reduced the burdens of weeds, low soil fertility, and insects. Anhydrous ammonia could kill or blind farmers. In 1951, DDT poisoned 338 people nationwide.

In short, completing farm work often took priority over personal safety. Education became a key means of reducing accidents. The USDA researched farm accidents and organized regional safety programs. Land grant colleges and their extension services helped to spread the safety message. Farm safety professionals, in academia or extension, provided advice on proper chemical use, fire safety, and hazard identification. Films, radio, and television also helped to promote safety. The FFA focused on youth education campaigns, including tractor-operating contests in the 1960s. New organizations, such as the National Safety Council, served as information clearinghouses for material. The NSC was founded in the early twentieth century to combat industrial accidents, but it later expanded to also serve agricultural interests. It focused on safety awareness, developing a Farm Safety Week during World War II.

Despite these extensive campaigns, the dangers of farming continued to exact a high toll on farm families. The ongoing need to reduce costs left many using outdated equipment. In 1988, 331 people in the United States were killed in roll-over tractor accidents.

Oden's meticulous history will be most useful for those who study post-war American agriculture and rural life. It is a clearly written and concise overview of an important topic. The research, based on published sources and archival materials, is impressive. Harvest of Hazards helps to fill a historiographical gap and provides scholars with a starting point for future research. It is also a fine example of a dissertation turned into a good monograph.