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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has supported small-scale farming and niche agricultural initiatives throughout its lifespan. This exhibit showcases three of these initiatives:


1. The School Garden: designed to address various program elements such as the scientific life of the plant, production of food, marketing food products, engaging with the natural world, being outdoors, and taking responsibility for a specific plot of land.

2. Subsistence Homesteads: a federal housing program created in 1933 as a response to the Great Depression that aimed to improve the living conditions of people coming from overcrowded urban centers, while simultaneously giving them a new opportunity to experience small-scale farming and home ownership.

3. Victory Gardens and Farms: initiatives carried out to increase the supply and quality of fresh food for the domestic U.S. population during World War II.

Many of the items featured here were published half a century ago. Therefore, please do not assume that the content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. All views expressed in these items are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the National Agricultural Library.

Unless otherwise indicated, all materials contained in "Small Agriculture" are either in the public domain due to copyright expiration or because they are works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties and thus are not copyrighted within the United States.

This exhibit was designed and written by Emily Marsh, Ph.D., MLS.

Please contact NAL if you have any questions about this site.