SUGAR-BEET CULTURE AND MORMON ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST

Beta vulgaris L, played an important economic role in Mormon settlemen ts from 1852 to 1979. The introduction of the sugarbeet from Europe su pplied not only a source of sugar and income, but also a sense of dign ity and independence to early Mormon pioneers seeking refuge from inte nse religious persecution. As the major cash crop in early Mormon sett lements, cultivation of sugarbeet directly provided security for farme rs, and indirectly the economic foundation for workers in many other a reas. However, in the last three decades, changes in world and U.S. su gar prices have rendered sugarbeet cultivation in some areas of the In termountain West economically untenable, and the clop has been commerc ially abandoned.