A study of settlers' progress in northern Saskatchewan for the period 1935 to 1939
Date
1940
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The program of the Northern Settlers Re-Establishment Branch comprises one of the most significant attempts at organized resettlement which has been attempted in Canada. The forces which have given rise to the plan of reestablishment and the nature of the people and the area represented make the program of the Branch an important part of the agricultural development of Saskatchewan. In view of this the present study proposes to outline the general results which have been achieved under the reestablishment plan and to present an analysis of its effectiveness.
The main objective of the study is to determine the rate of progress made by settlers in a pioneering area under a supervised scheme of capital and relief assistance. In so far as settlers progress is closely associated with the physical and economic features of a region an evaluation of the land resources, climate, markets and farming opportunities of the reestablishment area is to be attempted. Sociological factors are also recognised to have an important bearing on the final success of settlement because most of the people in reestablishment regions were forced into the north as a consequence of drought and depression. In their origin and in their present pattern these people represent a different sociological group from those of the settled area of the Province. Their attitudes and their ability to adapt themselves to the new environment will be closely related to the successfulness of reestablishment so that a study of the settler constitutes and important part of this report.
It is recognized that the agriculture of the northern reestablishment area is in a transitional stage. Adjustments in the type of farming in accordance with climate and soil conditions will continue. The present study will attempt to show how far the type of agriculture has become adjusted to the physical and economic factors of the area and will try to indicate the probable future of the trends in adjustment which are now in progress.
As the program of reestablishment is one of supervised and assisted settlement, the amount of direction and the kinds and amounts of assistance given to settlers will have an important bearing on their final reestablishment. The study will attempt to show the relation between assistance and the effectiveness of reestablishment and will try to evaluate the general results of the policies followed in the Northern Settlers Re-Establishment progress.
Finally it is recognized that the objectives of the reestablishment program is to develop communities of self supporting agricultural settlers. Through a study of the present status of settlers and of the progress which settlers have been able to make, an attempt will be made to indicate the requirements which are necessary to allow a settler to be self supporting. The difficulties of making progress on an undeveloped farm during the recent period of unfavorable prices is to be considered by analysing the various factors which contributed to a self supporting status. The ability of reestablished settlers to carry finally the costs of a reestablishaent program will also be studied in this connection.
Excerpt from pages 8-10.
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Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Farm Management
Program
Farm Management