#bureau of indian affairs

Shift Farm Safety into High Gear

In the United States, the third week of September marks the start of National Farm Safety and Health Week (NFSHW).  Begun by Presidential Proclamation in 1944, NFSHW acknowledges the dangers associated with agriculture work, and highlights safety precautions and trainings that can reduce workplace accidents and deaths.  

Each year, the National Education Center for Ag Safety (NECAS) provides farmers with programs and materials to promote farmer safety and health.  This year’s theme is “Shift Farm Safety into High Gear” and today’s focus is on tractor safety and rural roadway safety.  

In April 1945, William Anglim, Chief of Operations for the Office of Labor’s Mexican National Worker Program (Bracero Program), wrote that 54% of the 200 deaths reported during 1942, 1943, 1944, and early 1945 were “caused by all accidents, representing 108 workers, many of whom could have been saved by a better understanding and adoption of simple principles of accident prevention.”

Both Arizona and California have strong farming histories, and many records in the National Archives at Riverside relate to those histories.  In honor of the farmworkers risking injury each day, we’ve pulled together a few highlights from our materials. 

Series: Administrative Files, 1943-1948. Record Group 145, Records of the Farm Service Agency, 1904-1983. (National Archives Identifier: 33753365).

Series: Photographs, 1936-1942. Record Group 75, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999. (National Archives Identifier: 561578).

Click here for more information on National Farm Safety and Health Week.  

“…With silverbells and cockleshells…” 

So, how does your garden grow?  April 14th marks National Gardening Day! This day allows seasoned home gardeners to learn even more about their gardens and different plants and to share their knowledge with others.  We’re here to help, with images of great gardens from our collection of Mission Indian photographs.

As you browse through these historic garden images, perhaps you’d like to share your gardening wisdom and show us some of your gardening gems. Reply in the comments with pics of your top harvests!  

Item: “Photograph of Calistro Lugo’s Garden at Morongo, 1936-1942.” Series: Photographs, 1793-1999. Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999. (National Archives Identifier 170102497). 

Item: “Photograph of Felipa Nolasquez Gonzalez in a Garden, 1936-1942.” Series: Photographs, 1793-1999. Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999. (National Archives Identifier 170102153). 

Item: “Photograph of Rose Murphy in Indian Relief and Rehabilitation Garden at Pechanga, 1936-1942.” Series: Photographs, 1793-1999. Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999. (National Archives Identifier 170102823). 

Item: “Photograph of the Front Yard View of Francis Bosley’s Garden at Morongo, 1936-1942.” Series: Photographs, 1793-1999. Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999. (National Archives Identifier 170102483). 

Item: “Photograph of Susie Arenas Standing in a Corner of the Garden at Cahuilla, 1936-1942.” Series: Photographs, 1793-1999. Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999. (National Archives Identifier 170101027).

Item: “Photograph of Nicholas Chapparosa in his Garden on the Los Coyotes Reservation, 1936-1942.” Series: Photographs, 1793-1999. Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999. (National Archives Identifier 170101297). 

National Agriculture Day

Today we celebrate National Agriculture Day, a time to recognize the value of agriculture in our daily lives. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear, agriculture is essential to all people. According to the Agriculture Council of America, there are 3.75 million Americans employed full- and part-time in agriculture, including forestry, fishing, and other activities.

We are sharing some images from our series of photographs from the Office of Indian Affairs (now the Bureau of Indian Affairs). You can search for many different types of images here.

For more information about National Ag Day, visit the Agriculture Council of America website. For general information, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

Series: Photographs, 1936 - 1942. Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793 - 1999. (National Archives Identifier 561578). 

Today is National Horse Protection Day which advocates the end of neglect and abuse of horses.  Horses are used for a wide variety of activities including travel, work, and sport.  These three photographs from the Mission Agency show happy horses drinking water and working on construction projects.

To learn more about the protection of horses, please visit the American Horse Council.

You can search for these and hundreds of other photographs from this series by visiting the link below.

Series: Photographs, 1936-1942.  Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (National Archives Identifier 561578).