20 Colorized Photos That Bring 1930s-1940s Farming to Life

Last Updated on May 20, 2025 by Matt Staff

The hard-fought and hard-won harvests of the 1930s and 1940s forged a resilience that continues to echo across America’s heartland. However, most of the images from that era were originally only viewable in either sepia or black-and-white. Colorization can instill newfound life into the images like they’ve never been seen before. These 20 colorized 1930s-1940s farming photos certainly serve as their own effective time capsule.

1. Back in 1936, once a Missouri farmer, now a migratory farm laborer

A man in a cap and jacket sits behind the wheel of an old car, next to a woman in a coat. Both have serious expressions, and the car’s interior looks worn and rustic. — bcpowder79

Their eyes tell so many stories of some hard living.

2. Children of farmer in the Ozarks Missouri, May, 1940

Five young children sit closely together on a wooden step, some with dirty faces and simple clothes, one child holding a baby. They look toward the camera with somber and contemplative expressions. — rishicolors

These kids seem like they had to grow up fast.

3. A farmer’s son in Green County, GA, May 1941

A young person wearing a wide-brimmed hat, denim shirt, and overalls looks off into the distance in a wooded outdoor setting, with sunlight filtering through the trees behind them. — oneicirod

What a striking shot.

4. A fruit farmer collecting water from the springhouse

A man in overalls and a hat bends down inside a small wooden shed with an open door, surrounded by greenery and tools on the ground. — theastrevived

I can imagine that that little shed must’ve gotten really hot during the summer months.

5. William Huravitch, a farmer in Truax Township, Williams County, North Dakota, 1937

A man in worn work clothes sits outside, holding a pipe in his mouth. He looks thoughtful, with his hands clasped together. Behind him are wooden barrels and a milk can, suggesting a rural setting. — bcpowder79

I feel like this guy had some serious farming wisdom to pass along.

6. A farmer in a café, 1940, Pie Town, New Mexico

An older man with a gray mustache, wearing a brown hat and suit, sits at a table holding a glass of water. The background features wooden chairs and a window with light coming in. — pietown

Absolutely loving the stache here.

7. Yakima Valley, 1939

A young girl in a blue floral dress with a white collar stands outdoors, looking down with a serious expression while holding onto a barbed wire fence. — ectheow3

She doesn’t seem too thrilled about her day.

8. A Nebraska farmer, California, 1939

A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, blue shirt, and striped overalls looks into the distance with a cigarette in his mouth against a clear blue sky. — rishi71

Seems like a joyful enough day out on the farm.

9. A young farmer in 1938

A man in worn overalls sits on a stool, holding a cigarette, beside an old stove with a pot on top. The scene appears to be inside a modest room with a closed door and a metal sheet behind the stove. — anonymous

Totally here for the overalls look.

10. An unnamed farmer in 1936

Middle-aged man wearing denim overalls, a light shirt, and a dark cap stands outdoors in front of a gray wooden building on a dirt lot, looking at the camera with a slight smile. — Screenshot

Loving the cap there too sir.

11. This woman was busy helping her neighbors out with some planting

A woman in a bonnet, patterned dress, and apron stands in a barren field, leaning on a hoe, with one hand on her hip, under a cloudy sky. Small trees and buildings are visible in the distant background. — low98888

She seems like she’s all in on helping folks out.

12. A French Canadian dairy farmer near Rutland, Vermont, and some children gathering hay

A man in a cap and glasses stands in front of a wooden hay wagon, while two boys sit on the hay and a girl stands behind them holding a pitchfork. All wear vintage clothing and look toward the camera. — bcpowder789

That dairy farming was quite important indeed.

13. July 1941, some farm boys eating ice cream out in Washington, Indiana

Two young boys sit in the back of a green truck, each eating an ice cream cone. One wears blue overalls, the other wears red shorts with suspenders. Several vintage cars are parked in the background. — morganmonroe81

Nothing like some ice cream on a hot summer’s day at the farm.

14. A farmer playing guitar on the porch in the evening near Natchitoches, Louisiana

An older man in a straw hat sits on a wooden bench playing guitar outside a rustic wooden house, while a young child watches from the doorway. A hammock and a bed are visible inside the house. — philipppatterson11

This guy could probably crank out some great tunes too.

15. September 1939, the son of a dairy farmer

A young boy with short brown hair and freckles looks at the camera, holding a piece of dried grass between his lips. He wears a brown shirt and appears outdoors on a cloudy day. — deleted

This kid seems happy enough.

16. April, 1936, some sons of resettled farmers out in New Mexico

Two young boys stand outside on a dirt field under a clear blue sky. One boy wears a green shirt and brown pants; the other wears a blue shirt and denim overalls. They smile with arms around each other's shoulders. — anonymous

These guys look close as can be.

17. An American farmer in the 1930s depression years

A man with short brown hair, wearing a pink shirt and blue denim overalls, sits barefoot in a wooden doorway, gazing slightly to the side with his arms resting on his knees. The setting appears rustic and old-fashioned. — alexylim

Those were excruciatingly difficult years to muddle through.

18. Farmers at Black Earth, Wisconsin

Three older men wearing hats, suspenders, and work clothes sit on wooden steps in front of a rustic building, looking seriously at the camera. One man has a bandage on his arm. — alan31580

Talk about a stunning shot’s that able to give you welcomed pause.

19. Farmers at a cornhusking contest on lunch break in Marshall County, Iowa, 1939

Two men wearing caps and work jackets eat sandwiches outdoors; one man looks at the camera while holding food, and the other, partially visible, drinks from a metal cup. The background is blurred and appears to be a field. — devart1

Those cornhusking events meant serious business.

20. March 1937, an ex-tenant farmer on relief grant in the Imperial Valley, California

Three older men wearing hats and jackets stand outdoors, looking toward the camera. The central man wears a dark hat and suit, with a serious expression. Blurred background shows another figure and a pile of sacks. — morganmonroe11

This guy doesn’t seem especially thrilled about whatever he’s going through.

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