Homestead and Kinkaid Act - Abraham Lincoln and Moses Kinkaid

[Liz Rosenthal]

Matt, I have some questions for you.

What was the impact on the land itself that was provided to farmers under the Kinkaid Act? Was the land considered prairie, desert, or something else? You mentioned that much of the land was arid and not susceptible to irrigation. Did this arid land truly "bloom in the desert"? And, when droughts occurred, what happened? Did the land turn into a dust bowl? How is this land being used today?

Thanks.