Federal Emergency Relief Administration. Part of the New Deal, FERA was given $500,000,000 to create work programs for the unemployed. In 1934-35, FERA employed 190,000 North Dakotans, working on bridges, roads, tennis courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, swimming pools, airports and parks. FERA provided surplus food to hungry people and set up immunization clinics as well. All totaled, FERA brought almost $35,000,000 into the state. G-M