Early Colonial Agriculture and Trade Before 1720, most colonists in the mid-Atlantic region lived through small-scale farming operations that provided both sustenance and a modest income. These family farms were …
Early 19th-Century American Farming and Westward Expansion
America’s Agricultural Roots In the early 1800s, American agriculture was the backbone of the national economy. As Mark Oppold explains in An American Agriculture History Minute, most citizens relied on …
How Immigrant Farmers Shaped Early American Agriculture
Ethnic Traditions and the Roots of American Farming In the early days of the United States, immigrant farmers played a defining role in shaping American agriculture. As Mark Oppold explains …
Ethnic Roots of American Agriculture: How Immigrants Shaped U.S. Farming
The Immigrant Influence on American Agriculture I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Ethnic groups played a vital role in shaping early American agriculture. Immigrants brought unique farming …
How Railroads Transformed American Agriculture
The Iron Tracks That Changed Rural America I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Railroads dramatically changed the face of agriculture and rural America as the nation expanded …
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
A Turning Point in Agricultural Education In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service—a transformative program that reshaped how Americans learned about farming, …
How Rural Electrification Transformed U.S. Farms
Life Before Electricity on the Farm In the early 1930s, life in rural America looked vastly different from city living. Roughly nine out of ten rural homes were without electric …
Gage A. Kent and the Birth of Kent Feeds
Revolutionizing Cattle Feeding in the 1920s In the mid-1920s, central Iowa cattle feeder Gage A. Kent recognized that raising superior cattle required more than care—it required proper nutrition. While most …
The Iconic Case Eagle Logo: A Symbol of History and Innovation
The Story Behind Case’s Iconic Eagle Logo Logos are more than just graphics—they are enduring symbols of a company’s identity. From the Leaping Deer of John Deere to the Checkerboard …
Purina’s Checkerboard Logo: An Agricultural Icon
A Symbol Rooted in Childhood The Ralston Purina checkerboard logo remains one of the most recognizable symbols in American agriculture. Its history stretches back to 1904, when company founder William …
Grand Island: From Settlers’ Trail to Husker Harvest Days
Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Each September, Grand Island, Nebraska, becomes the center of attention in the farming world as it hosts Husker Harvest Days. Known as one of …
Plymouth Colony Crops: Corn, Tobacco, and Early Trade
The First Crops in Plymouth Colony When the first settlers arrived in Plymouth, they planted barley and peas brought from England. But their most important crop soon became Indian corn, …
Ohio River: A Lifeline of American Agriculture
Introduction The Ohio River has played a crucial role in shaping American agriculture and commerce. Stretching nearly a thousand miles, this historic waterway has been central to trade, transportation, and …
Iowa Farmer Unearths Rare Treasure from the 1850s
A Remarkable Discovery in Iowa Agriculture In March 2017, history surfaced in an Iowa farm field when farmer Robert Ellis made an extraordinary discovery. While plowing near the Missouri River, …