How PFRA Transformed Prairie Farming

Drought to Recovery The PFRA Story

The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) was designated a national historic event in 2025 for its significant role in addressing the severe drought and soil erosion that plagued farming communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta during the Great Depression. Established in 1935, the PFRA aimed to support farmers and ranchers in overcoming harsh environmental conditions through innovative agricultural practices and government-led initiatives. 

The PFRA Act, passed on April 17, 1935, introduced strategies to counter soil degradation and water shortages. By 1936, widespread drought had led to the abandonment of around 13,900 farms, covering nearly 3 million acres. To combat this crisis, the PFRA implemented scientific research, promoted soil conservation, and introduced strip farming, shelterbelt planting, and water dugout projects. The initiative played a key role in stabilizing prairie agriculture, ensuring long-term sustainability. 

By the 1940s, PFRA efforts significantly reduced soil erosion, making prairie farming more viable. Beyond its initial goals, the program contributed to major irrigation projects, including systems linked to the St. Mary, Bow, and South Saskatchewan rivers. Over the decades, PFRA policies shaped water conservation and environmental management in Western Canada. 

Despite its benefits, some PFRA projects had unintended consequences for Indigenous communities. In the late 1930s, the Métis community of Ste. Madeleine, Manitoba, lost their land to PFRA pasture development. The Gardiner Dam project led to the destruction of Mistasiniy, a sacred Indigenous landmark. Additionally, several First Nations reserves in Saskatchewan faced flooding due to dam construction, impacting traditional livelihoods. 

In 2009, the PFRA was dissolved, and its responsibilities were transferred to federal and provincial agencies. While its legacy remains in modern conservation and farming practices, its history serves as a reminder of both agricultural progress and its effects on Indigenous lands. 

“Recognizing the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) as an event of national historical significance exemplifies the importance of grit and tenacity, scientific research, and community adaptation in developing viable agricultural techniques that work within and extend the possibilities of landscape and culture. It's critically important to also recognize the negative impact of PFRA initiatives and agricultural development in general on Indigenous communities. As Indigenous and western agriculture grow in strength, lessons from the PFRA will continue to give critical insight for the path forward," said Merle Massie, PhD Executive Director, The Do More Agriculture Foundation and nominator of the designation.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham