How did agricultural reform affect farmers in South Carolina and nationwide?
Agricultural reform throughout the United States took the form of required standards that would dictate the type and amount of crops farmers could produce.
Congress initiated agricultural reform through laws that fixed the prices of crops to be sold on the open market throughout the country and in South Carolina.
Across the nation, legislation was adopted that limited farm laborers to working 35 hours per week, allowing for more laborers to be hired.
President Wilson approved national legislation creating federal storage facilities for crops, which allowed all farmers to receive the low interest loans they needed.
In South Carolina, agricultural reform had a significant impact on farmers. The price fixing of crops meant that farmers in the state had a guaranteed income for their produce, which helped stabilize the agricultural economy. Additionally, the limitation on farm labor hours allowed for more job opportunities for workers in the state.
Nationwide, agricultural reform helped farmers by providing access to federal storage facilities and low-interest loans, which allowed them to invest in their farms and improve their production. Overall, agricultural reform helped to modernize and improve the agriculture industry in both South Carolina and nationwide.