Russell Lee (American, 1903-1986) “Roadside Stand near Greenfield, Massachusetts,” 1939. B&W film. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA/OWI Collection LC-USF33-012448-M4    

Farmers Sell Pumpkins at Roadside Stands

Among the U.S. Farm Security Administration’s more famous photographs of migrant farm families, such as Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Mother," is a photographic series featuring New England roadside pumpkin stands. Roy Stryker, the head of the agency, advised the photographers, “Please watch for autumn pictures…These should be rather the symbol of Autumn...cornfields, pumpkins...Emphasize the idea of abundance—the ‘horn of plenty’ and pour maple syrup over it....”