From Handmade Tools to a New Agricultural Era Prior to the 1800s, American farmers and ranchers relied almost entirely on handmade tools and equipment. These implements were often crafted locally …
When American Farming Shifted From Hand Power to Horsepower
From Hand Labor to Heavy Work: Early American Farming Agricultural production in the United States continued to expand in the early 1800s, but farming remained an intensely labor-driven endeavor. Despite …
How Minneapolis Mills Produced Nearly All of the Nation’s Flour
When people think about America’s agricultural powerhouses, Minnesota is not always the first state that comes to mind. Yet in 1915, Minnesota stood at the very center of the U.S. …
How Mechanization Transformed Corn Farming in America
A Snapshot of Agricultural Progress American agriculture has always been shaped by innovation, but few changes were as transformative as the mechanization of farming. In this American Agriculture History Minute, …
Harry Ferguson and the Tractor Innovation That Changed Farming
Irish-born inventor Harry Ferguson holds a permanent place in American agriculture history for developing one of the most important innovations ever introduced to farming equipment. His work fundamentally changed how …
American Agriculture’s Expansion in the Early 1900s
American Agriculture Enters a New Century In the early 1900s, American agriculture continued to expand and diversify as the nation entered a new era of scientific research and modernization. Farmers …
America’s 1870s Agricultural Revolution
A Shift from Hand Power to Horsepower The 1870s marked a pivotal decade in American agriculture, often called the first major agricultural revolution. Farmers began moving from traditional hand tools …
Colorado Agriculture: Mining, Railroads, and Early Farms
Early Challenges for Colorado Settlers Colorado’s agricultural story began with significant obstacles. Early settlers crossing what is now Nebraska and Kansas encountered land that seemed nearly worthless. “After a long …
How the Wealthy Apple Put Minnesota on the Orchard Map
A Doubtful Beginning for Minnesota Apples In 1860, Minnesota was not considered a place where apples could thrive. That skepticism was famously captured by journalist and editor Horace Greeley, who …
Anna Baldwin and the First Milking Machine
American agriculture has been shaped by countless innovators whose ideas laid the groundwork for modern farming. One such pioneer is Anna Baldwin, a largely overlooked but critically important figure in …
Colorado’s Agricultural Turning Point
As settlers moved westward across the Appalachian Mountains, many found fertile land and favorable farming conditions in states such as Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. These regions quickly became agricultural …
From Wagons to Pickups: The Evolution of Farm Transportation
Early Transportation on the Farm Machinery, livestock, and crops have always needed to be moved around farms or transported to market. In the earliest days of American agriculture, two-wheel carts …
How Soybeans Became America’s Leading Crop
The Rise of Soybeans in U.S. Agriculture Soybeans may seem ubiquitous in today’s American agriculture, but their widespread cultivation is a relatively recent phenomenon. According to Mark Oppold, host of …
Joseph Dart and the Invention That Revolutionized Grain Shipping
Joseph Dart: A Pioneer in American Agriculture Joseph Dart, though born in Connecticut, left a lasting mark on American agriculture after moving to Buffalo, New York. Dart is best remembered …