A Nebraska Community Shaped by Westward Migration Every September, thousands of people gather in Grand Island, Nebraska, for Husker Harvest Days, one of the nation’s major agricultural events. But the …
The Eagle and the Globe: How Old Abe Became a Symbol of Case IH
Company logos can become powerful symbols of American agriculture. The leaping deer associated with John Deere and the checkerboard pattern long connected with Ralston Purina are instantly recognizable examples. But …
From Plymouth to Plantation Agriculture: The Early Crops and Trade That Shaped American Agriculture
The First Crops of Plymouth Colony When the first settlers established Plymouth Colony, agriculture was essential to their survival. Many of the crops they initially planted had been brought with …
Franklin King: A Pioneer of Sustainable Agriculture
The Wisconsin Agricultural Scientist Who Helped Shape Organic Farming Long before organic farming became a familiar concept to American consumers and farmers, agricultural scientists were exploring ways to improve soil …
Joseph Dart and the Birth of the Grain Elevator
How Buffalo Helped Transform the Grain Trade The movement of grain from farms to markets has always depended on transportation and efficient handling systems. In the early 1840s, a major …
Étienne de Boré: The Pioneer Behind Louisiana’s Granulated Sugar
A Little-Known Figure in American Agriculture American agricultural history is filled with innovators whose contributions helped shape regional economies and agricultural industries. One of those lesser-known figures is Étienne de …
E.T. York: Advancing American Agriculture from the Classroom
A Leader Who Helped Shape Modern Agriculture American agriculture has been advanced by farmers, scientists, inventors and researchers—but some of the most influential contributors never farmed or developed an invention …
Henry Groseclose and the Birth of the Future Farmers of America
An Agriculture Teacher Who Helped Launch the FFA The Future Farmers of America, now known simply as FFA, has become one of the most recognizable youth organizations in American agriculture. …
Norman Borlaug: The Agronomist Who Helped Launch the Green Revolution
Norman Borlaug stands among the most influential figures in modern agricultural history. An American agronomist born in the heartland, Borlaug dedicated his career to increasing agricultural production and helping address …
Philadelphia Society Helped Shape American Agriculture
America’s First Agricultural Organization Long before today’s agricultural associations, commodity boards, and farm organizations were established, American farmers and agricultural leaders were already working together to improve farming practices. According …
From Linseed Oil to ADM: The Unlikely Partnership That Built an Ag Giant
Archer and Daniels Begin a Linseed Business In 1902, two very different businessmen—George A. Archer and John W. Daniels—joined forces to establish a linseed crushing business that would eventually become …
Stephen Babcock: The Test That Changed Dairy Farming
Milk production has long been an important part of American agriculture, but determining the quality and value of milk required better ways to measure its components. One scientist whose work …
John W. Tyson: From Missouri Farmer to Poultry Industry Pioneer
The Great Depression Creates an Opportunity The Great Depression brought severe economic hardship to rural American families, but for some entrepreneurs, difficult times also created opportunities. One such entrepreneur was …
America’s Early Forest Management Begins in 1876
From Settler Clearing to Forest Conservation As early American settlers cleared land for homesteads, farms, and growing communities, the federal government increasingly recognized that the nation’s forests were an important …