Ep 21. Money Crop

In "Money Crop," the twenty-first episode of season one of Little House on the Prairie, Charles Ingalls and his family deal with the consequences of their neighbor, Sam Galender, pulling out of a group deal to buy crops and instead choosing to sow wheat for cash. Charles and his family are part of a group of farmers who have been working together to buy and sell their crops, but Sam's decision to plant wheat for cash is a blow to the group's collective effort, making it difficult to get other members to stick with the plan.

Meanwhile, the Ingalls family must also deal with the fact that they are low on funds, and they are worried about how they will be able to pay for their provisions for the coming winter. Charles accepts a job hauling freight, but when the wagon is stolen, he is left to come up with another solution. Charles gets a chance to see how profitable wheat farming can be when he sells his farm's oats to a cereal company, but he remains committed to the group deal as a way to support the collective effort.

As the community struggles to make its way through the economic downturn, Melissa Gilbert's character Laura Ingalls learns some valuable lessons about the importance of working together and sticking to a plan. Despite the obstacles that they face, the Ingalls family remains committed to their neighbors and their efforts to make a living from the land.

Throughout "Money Crop" and in other episodes of Little House on the Prairie, the show explores the challenges of life on the frontier, with a particular focus on the hardworking families that were trying to survive and thrive on the land. It is a show that is steeped in American tradition and history, and it continues to resonate with audiences today.

In this particular episode, the show's writers do an excellent job of balancing drama, humor, and heartfelt moments. There are some genuinely funny scenes in which Charles tries to keep his spirits up despite his many setbacks, and the relationship between Laura and her father is beautifully portrayed. At the same time, the show is not afraid to tackle serious issues like economic uncertainty and the need for community cooperation.

Ultimately, "Money Crop" is a classic episode of Little House on the Prairie that highlights some of the show's best qualities. It is a show that celebrates the virtues of hard work, determination, and sacrifice, and it remains a favorite among viewers of all ages. Whether you are a long-time fan of the show or you are just discovering it for the first time, this episode is well worth watching. So take a trip back in time to the frontier days of the American Midwest, and experience the warmth and beauty of Little House on the Prairie.