In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold takes us back to one of the most pivotal innovations in U.S. farming history—the invention of the steel plow. As pioneers moved …
America’s First Turnpike Sparked Rural Expansion in 1794
Mark Oppold shares a fascinating piece of history in today’s American Agriculture History Minute—a look back at the first organized road improvement in the United States. In 1794, the Philadelphia …
Steamboats, Settlers Drove American Agriculture Westward
By 1790, the western boundary of the young United States had reached the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains—roughly 255 miles inland from the Atlantic. With a population nearing 4 …
Daniel Halladay Revolutionized Windmill Technology in 1854
Windmills have long played a vital role in agriculture—grinding grain, pumping water, and powering essential equipment. But in 1854, a breakthrough in windmill design changed everything. That year, American inventor …
Oliver Family Legacy and the Evolution of Tractor Manufacturing
In the fast-paced world of early 20th-century agriculture, competition among tractor manufacturers was fierce. The Oliver family, pioneers in plow manufacturing, expanded their influence with the formation of the Oliver …
Oliver-Hart-Parr: A Legacy of Innovation in Tractor History
James Oliver revolutionized farming in 1855 with his innovative chilled plow design. But it wasn’t until decades later that his family’s legacy expanded beyond plows. In the 1920s, the Oliver …
James Oliver’s Chilled Plow Revolutionized Farming Worldwide
From Patented Innovation to Global Agricultural Impact In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights a pivotal figure in farming innovation—James Oliver. While the Oliver name …
Three Sisters: America’s Oldest Crop Collaboration
How Corn, Beans, and Squash Worked Together to Feed a Nation In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights one of the most enduring and ingenious agricultural systems brought …
George Washington Carver Transformed Southern Agriculture
From Peanuts to Crop Rotation: Carver’s Lasting Legacy In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold shines a spotlight on one of the most transformative figures in …
Michael Kelly: The Forgotten Pioneer of Barbed Wire
How Early Fencing Challenges Sparked Innovation in American Livestock History In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights a lesser-known but significant figure in agricultural innovation: Michael Kelly, a …
How Native Crops and European Grains Shaped U.S. Agriculture
The Crop Exchange That Built American Farming In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold revisits a pivotal moment in agricultural development—when cultures collided and crops crossed …
America’s First State Fair and Its Agriculture Roots
How Farm Family Rivalry Sparked a National Agricultural Tradition In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold explores the spirited origins of an enduring tradition in U.S. …
Cotton, and Cotton Gin, Helped Shape American Ag Economy
From Columbus to the Cotton Gin: The Crop That Changed a Nation In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold shares a pivotal chapter in American farming—how …
Massey-Ferguson: A Legacy in Agriculture
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, few names carry the weight of tradition and innovation like Massey-Ferguson. But how did this iconic brand come to be? It all began in …