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February 1939. "Madera County, California. Family from near Dallas, Texas. Rent is $5 a month. There's no future here. I've been following the work (migratory labor) but there's no chance for a fellow to get aholt hisself in this country. The last job I had is tractor driving for 35 cents an hour. Had that job for five months until a Filipino comes along for 25 cents an hour. I was raised on a cotton farm my father owned, a little place back there, and I'm plumb willing to leave this country for good before I get too old, If I could get the chance to farm." Photo by Dorothea Lange for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
Having been born and raised right outside of Madera, CA. I know this area well. He most likely drove a Ford Tractor. My father was the general sales manager for Ford Tractor in Madera shortly after this photo was taken. At that time, cotton and grapes were our primary crops in this area.
Shout out from my fourth grade class who view your photos almost daily and are familiar with Dorthea Lange's wonderful work.
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