Elsa is a twenty-five-year-old woman initially deemed a spinster by her wealthy parents due to her physical appearance and a childhood illness. After becoming pregnant and facing disownment, she joins the Martinelli farm and discovers a profound capacity for manual labor. She possesses a quiet resilience, adapting to the grueling demands of agricultural life while struggling to earn her eldest daughter's respect.

Loreda is Elsa and Rafe's eldest daughter, a fierce and independent teenager. She resents the relentless dust storms of the Texas Panhandle and dreams of traveling the world. She directs much of her adolescent anger at Elsa, favoring her father's romanticized visions of escape over her mother's stoic endurance.

Anthony is the youngest child of Elsa and Rafe. He relies heavily on his family for stability as the environmental and economic conditions in Texas deteriorate. His youth shields him from fully grasping the severity of the drought, though his physical health suffers directly from the relentless dust storms.

Rafe is the eighteen-year-old son of Italian immigrant farmers who unexpectedly becomes a husband and father. He feels trapped by the grueling realities of agricultural life and the dying land. He harbors romantic dreams of escaping the drought-stricken Texas Panhandle, a desire that heavily influences his relationship with his family.

Rose is a stalwart immigrant from Sicily who has built a thriving farm alongside her husband. She possesses no-nonsense frontier wisdom and an immense capacity for love. As the matriarch of the family, she teaches Elsa traditional Italian cooking and embraces her as a surrogate daughter.

Tony is an optimistic, hardworking Italian immigrant who views his farm as a sacred legacy. He loves to play the fiddle and finds deep spiritual meaning in cultivating the soil. He embraces Elsa warmly from the start and refuses to let the harsh realities of the Dust Bowl diminish his dedication to his homestead.

Jack is a charismatic union organizer striving to recruit agricultural migrants into the Workers Alliance. He is fiercely devoted to fighting for fair pay and better living conditions for laborers. He recognizes the severe exploitation faced by workers and is willing to endure violence to champion social justice.

Eugene and Minerva are Elsa's strict parents who hold prominent social status in Dalhart, Texas. They enforce a rigid moral code and view their daughter as a fragile dependent. Driven by a desire to preserve their family's reputation, they prioritize societal appearances over their daughter's autonomy.

Jean is a migrant from Alabama living in a squalid California squatters' camp. As an experienced agricultural worker, she understands the harsh realities of farm labor and the pervasive discrimination against migrants. She becomes a vital source of comfort and practical advice for new arrivals.

Jeb is a displaced farmer from the South struggling to provide for his family in California. He picks cotton for meager wages and helps acclimate new arrivals to the difficult realities of the migrant camps.

Welty is the owner of Welty Farms, a large agricultural operation that employs desperate migrants. He represents the unfettered capitalism of the era, utilizing company stores and debt systems to keep his workers effectively indentured.

Stella is Loreda's childhood best friend in Lonesome Tree. Her family is forced to relocate to Oregon when her father's bank closes, highlighting the widespread economic devastation of the period.

Hugh is a representative of the government's Conservation Corps. He attempts to educate the stubborn Texas farmers on new agricultural methods to save the ruined topsoil.

Natalia is a dedicated union organizer who works closely with Jack Valen. She helps educate migrants about the historical context of agricultural labor disputes in California.

Betty Ann is a beautician in California who previously migrated from the Dust Bowl herself. She offers the Martinelli women free winter clothes and a rare moment of dignity.

Ike is a fellow agricultural worker at Welty Farms who helps spread information about the brewing strike.