The first settler arrived in the Cache Valley in 1852, and it quickly developed into a vibrant place with several close-knit communities. Today, the valley is well-known as one of Utah’s most beautiful agricultural spots. It’s still rural, but these vintage photos from the 1940s show that it was quite a bit different back then.

1. A young girl from town picks berries in Cache County.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
The photographer noted that "due to the diversification of crops, no migrant labor is needed or used in this section of Utah."
2. A farmer tends to his green beans.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
Green beans were one of the main crops in Cache County, according to photographer Russell Lee.
3. Harvesting grapes.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
Looks like back-breaking work.
4. Harvesting hay was a much different process back in 1940.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
It's still a lot of work, but using horses must have been much harder than using modern equipment.
5. The hydroelectric plant in Logan.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
This was the latest technology at the time.
6. A farmer and his family pose for a portrait.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
The hairstyles and clothing have changed, but Utah's families are still the same in many ways.

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7. This farmer is spraying his fruit trees with a sprayer from the Farm Security Administration Cooperative.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
Back then, horses were still used to pull equipment on the farm.
8. Farmers pose for a photo with their sprayers.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
9. The barn and haystack on a Cache County farm.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
I wonder if this barn is still standing?
10. In this photo, the Farm Security Administration supervisor is handing a check to the committee so they can purchase a cooperative ensilage harvester.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
The Farm Security Administration was a federal program created in 1935 as part of the New Deal to help rural farmers and ranchers get back on their feet after the Great Depression.
11. Here are the tractor and harvester the men bought with the money from the FSA.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
12. Barns on the farm.
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
These barns are quite modest, and you can see the horse-drawn wagon in the foreground.
13. Dairy cows!
Russell Lee/Library of Congress
The best in the state, according to the photographer.

If you’re interested in Utah’s history, you might want to check out this town in northern Utah, which was once one of the most dangerous places in the country!

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