Salinas, California's Economy During the Great Depression

The 1930s Great Depression hit Salinas hard:

• Agriculture: Lettuce and vegetable prices collapsed; many indebted farmers lost land.
• Unemployment: Monterey County reached ~25% joblessness.
• Government intervention: AAA (1933) aimed to raise farm prices; New Deal programs (CCC, WPA) created jobs.
• Recovery: By late 1930s, demand rose, unemployment fell, economy improved.