Where Forest Meets Prairie: Iowa’s Agricultural Crossroads Iowa sits at one of North America’s most remarkable natural boundaries — the meeting point of the great eastern forests and the vast …
Homestead Act and America’s Westward Expansion
Reaching the Mississippi: The Edge of the Frontier By 1813, America’s western frontier stretched to the Mississippi River, marking a major milestone in the nation’s expansion. At its heart stood …
The Rise of Plantation Agriculture in Early America
How Plantation Agriculture Shaped America’s Farming Roots Plantation agriculture stands as one of the most significant chapters in the history of American farming. Emerging during the 1600s and 1700s, this …
How Radio Transformed American Agriculture History
The Power of Radio in Rural America Radio is one of the most influential innovations in the history of American agriculture. In the early 20th century, long before the rise …
From Barley to Cotton: How America’s Early Crops Shaped Agriculture
The Roots of American Farming In the early days of American settlement, the first colonists arriving in Plymouth Colony faced unfamiliar soil, weather, and challenges unlike anything they had known …
Ethnic Roots of Early American Agriculture
How Immigrant Traditions Shaped Farming in the New World Early American agriculture was built on the diverse cultural foundations of immigrants who brought their own skills, traditions, and values to …
Westward Expansion: The Harsh Beginnings of America’s Frontier Farmers
The Struggle to Move West Westward expansion in the United States did not happen quickly or easily. The journey beyond the original colonies demanded courage, endurance, and determination. Settlers faced …
How Early Farmers Learned to Protect Their Soil
The Dawn of Soil Conservation in Early American Farming In the early years of American settlement, the nation’s farmers often took the vastness of the land for granted. As Mark …
Farming the Frontier: How Early Settlers Built America
Life Beyond the Mississippi As settlers moved west across the Mississippi River in the 19th century, they carried with them not only their hopes for a new beginning but also …
Pioneering the Midwest: How Settlers Turned Iowa’s Prairies into Farmland
The Great Migration West By the 1850s, America’s westward expansion had surged into a defining movement. Families from the eastern states packed their wagons and made the long journey toward …
Westward Expansion Transforms 1850s American Farming
The Great Migration Across the Mississippi In the 1850s, the United States witnessed a remarkable westward migration as settlers crossed the Mississippi River in search of new land and opportunity. …
How Draft Horses Powered American Farming
Before the mid-1800s, American farms depended on horses and oxen to provide the muscle for plowing, hauling, and powering early equipment. These animals were essential to agricultural productivity, but as …
Post–Civil War Wheat Crash: How Farmers Turned to Corn and Livestock
The Civil War’s Wheat Boom During the Civil War, wheat became one of the most valuable crops in the United States. With soldiers and civilians alike needing bread and other …
Ag Hall of Fame: Honoring U.S. Agricultural Pioneers
A Tribute to America’s Agricultural Legacy Across the nation, countless halls of fame celebrate excellence — from sports and music to science and education. Agriculture, the backbone of America’s growth …