Mark Oppold with An American Agriculture History Minute highlights a surprising and influential chapter in U.S. agricultural and marketing history—one that connects food production, consumer tastes, and one of the …
How 19th-Century Technology Transformed Corn and Wheat Farming
Labor, Land, and Innovation: How 19th-Century Farming Became More Efficient American agriculture in the 19th century underwent a profound transformation as new tools and techniques reshaped how crops were planted, …
Michigan’s Early Path to Statehood: From the Northwest Territory to Michigan Territory
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute, and the history of the state of Michigan is an interesting one. Long before Michigan became a state, its land passed …
Michigan Agriculture: A National Leader in Diversity, Cherries, and Innovation
Michigan agriculture stands as one of the most diverse and productive farming systems in the United States. From fruit and dairy to beans, potatoes, and wine grapes, the state consistently …
John Holmes and the Birth of Agricultural Education
John Holmes is an important figure in American agriculture history, recognized for his role in advancing scientific agriculture and formal agricultural education in the United States. His work helped establish …
Early Innovations That Transformed American Agriculture
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 …