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NEW MEXICO: CATTLE, 1940. A young boy tending to cows grazing along irrigation ditch
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NEW MEXICO: CATTLE, 1940. A young boy tending to cows grazing along irrigation ditch
NEW MEXICO: CATTLE, 1940.
A young boy tending to cows grazing along irrigation ditch, Penasco, New Mexico. Photograph by Russell Lee, July 1940
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Media ID 13215465
1940 Adolescent Calf Cattle Child Labor Ditch Farm Farming Field Grazing Great Depression Irrigation July Livestock New Deal New Mexican New Mexico Pasture Rural Russell Southwest Working Class Young
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Captured in the heart of rural New Mexico during the summer of 1940, this poignant photograph encapsulates a bygone era. The image showcases a young boy diligently tending to a herd of cattle grazing along an irrigation ditch in Penasco. With his sleeves rolled up and hat shielding him from the scorching July sun, he embodies the resilience and hard work emblematic of American youth during that time. The photograph, taken by renowned photographer Russell Lee as part of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) project, offers a glimpse into the realities faced by working-class families amidst the Great Depression. Child labor was not uncommon on farms across America, with children shouldering responsibilities beyond their years to support their families. In this snapshot frozen in time, we witness both beauty and struggle coexisting harmoniously. The vast expanse of lush pastureland stretching towards distant horizons serves as a reminder of nature's bounty even in challenging times. Meanwhile, the boy's dedication to his task reflects an unwavering spirit that defined generations living off these lands. This piece transports us back to an era when agriculture was not just a means for survival but also deeply intertwined with identity and community values. It stands as a testament to human resilience against adversity while honoring those who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to shape our nation's history.
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