IV. Farming in the West

A. Homesteading 1.The Homestead Act (1862) offered 160 acres to anyone who resided on the land for 5 years 2.Most homesteaders- people who acquired free land- failed 3.Railroads also promoted western farming by giving away land

B. Hard Life on the Plains 1.Sodbusters (plains farmers) adapted to the plains by using steel plows, deep planting and barbed wire 2.All family members had responsibilities 3.Thousands of “Exodusters” settled in the plains

C. A Last Rush for Land 1.In the 1880s, the government opened Oklahoma to homesteaders 2.“Boomers” gathered on a line for the land rush 3.“Sooners” sneaked ahead claiming the best land 4.In 1890, the frontier was closed to homesteading

D. Farmers Organize 1.More farmers led to a surplus of crops, which prices to_____ 2.Most farmers lived in poverty and isolation and began to form groups called granges 3.Many began to set up farm cooperatives 4.The Populist Party was formed to represent workers & farmers