In the early 19th century on the initiative of the tsarist Russia government, it was decided to involve part of the Jewish population of the empire in agricultural labor. For this purpose, they were given lands in the south of the country, mainly in the recently annexed Black Sea steppes, on preferential terms. This attracted some of the Jewish poverty from the northwestern regions of the empire. They moved to the agricultural colonies and decided to change radically the scope of their occupations. Because for many centuries most Jews were involved in crafts and commerce and had no experience of farming, the first migrants were subjected to severe trials - there were crop failures, diseases, and famines. Many did not survive, escaped from the colonies and returned to traditional trade or craft. But over time, however, a layer of colonial Jews emerged – successful enough masters. Jewish colonies also existed in Dnipropetrovsk region. In 1930, the Stalindorf Jewish National District was created in here. You can see household items used by its residents in showcases 1.26 and 1.27.

In the 1920-30's these settlements were assisted by the American Jewish Agro-Joint Organization. First of all, agricultural supplies, equipment, agronomic consultations were provided. One of such episodes is illustrated in the book on the history of the organization “Joint” on the right. The photo shows several dozen tractors from the United States that were sent to the Jewish colonies of the Kryviy Rig district of Dnipropetrovsk region. Nowadays we have managed to find only one wheel from the tractor that you can see in front of you.