Sodbusters Notes
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Sodbusters, or homesteaders, established homes on the Great Plains with few resources. They built houses from cut bricks of sod due to a lack of trees. They adapted to minimal water by developing irrigation systems and planting drought-resistant crops. Homesteaders burned buffalo chips for fuel since wood was scarce. They improved plows to till the tough prairie soil. Fences were built to protect crops from grazing animals. Controlled burns were used to prevent wildfires from destroying settlements. Homesteaders dealt with insect plagues through experimentation with different planting methods and crops. With few doctors, settlers relied on home remedies and helping their isolated neighbors in medical emergencies.
Sodbusters Notes
- 1. Name ______________________________________________________ Hour ___-523875394335SodbustersSodbuster- (Also called a homesteader); A farmer who established a homestead on the Great Plains and built a house from cut bricks of sod:A shortage of materialsHow did settlers solve the problem of few trees to build their houses?African AmericansBlack homesteaders in Kansas were called _______________________________Challenges of WaterHow did sodbusters adapt to the minimal rivers and lakes, in addition to shorter rainfall than back East?Lack of fuelWhat did homesteaders use to burn for cooking and heat?Plowing the landWhat improvement had to be made to plow the tough prairie sod?Crops were trampledHow did sodbusters protect their property from large animal damage?FiresWhat did sodbusters do to protect against prairie fires?Plagues of insectsHow did sodbusters deal with insects that damaged their crops?Life was unhealthyWith the scarcity of doctors, how did sodbusters get medical treatment?Homesteads were isolatedHow did sodbusters deal with the loneliness that accompanied their move out West?