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 …
Harriet Strong: Visionary Behind Hoover Dam and Water Conservation
Harriet Strong: Pioneer of Water Conservation and the Vision Behind Hoover Dam A Visionary for Water Management In 1885, Harriet Strong conducted a groundbreaking study on water shortages in Nevada, …
Bonanza Farms: How Railroads Transformed Wheat Production in America
Railroads Spark a Wheat Boom In the late 19th century, wheat production in the United States expanded rapidly as new railroad lines connected farms to distant markets. These rail connections …
Minnesota’s Wheat Breakthrough
How Minnesota Found Its Perfect Wheat Early Challenges for Minnesota Settlers When early settlers arrived in Minnesota, they quickly realized that wheat varieties successful in Nebraska and Kansas failed in …
The National Road: America’s First Appalachian Highway
The National Road: America’s First Gateway Across the Appalachians Connecting East and West When most people think of iconic American highways, Route 66 often comes to mind. But nearly a …
Ohio’s Early Agriculture: Corn, Wheat, and Tobacco
Settling Ohio After the Appalachian Crossing Once early American settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains, many chose to stop rather than continue westward. After enduring difficult and often dangerous travel, these …