Early Recognition of Forest Stewardship Even as America’s early settlers were clearing land to establish homesteads and plant crops, the government recognized the importance of protecting and managing the nation’s …
USDA Extension Service: A Legacy of Education and Support
The Roots of Agricultural Support The Department of Agriculture was first established in 1862, but it would take more than 50 years before one of its most impactful programs came …
Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America
Farm Families and the Birth of Agricultural Policy As farm families moved westward and settled across the American heartland, they were unknowingly shaping the foundation of U.S. agriculture. Their struggles, …
Horsepower to Tractor Power: A Turning Point in American Agriculture
The Shift That Changed Farming Forever I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The story of American farming is filled with innovation, but one of the most transformative …
Angus Bulls Introduced to America
A Visionary in American Agriculture In 1873, George Grant brought four Angus bulls from Scotland to Victoria, Kansas. His goal was ambitious—introduce this new cattle breed to American cattlemen and …
George Grant and the Introduction of Angus Cattle to America
The Vision of George Grant In the history of American agriculture, few individuals stand out like George Grant, a Scottish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1873. Accompanied …
Founding Fathers, Farming, and the Rise of Agricultural Education
Leaders Who Were Farmers First In 1776, the successful leaders who helped shape the new nation were also among its most accomplished farmers. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson stand out …
The Birth of the USDA and Land-Grant Universities
The Establishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture In 1862, a pivotal year for American farming and education, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was officially established. This came 42 …
History of Land-Grant Universities in U.S. Agriculture
The Origins of Land-Grant Universities in American Agriculture The Morrill Act of 1862 and Its Impact In 1862, the United States passed the First Morrill Act, a historic piece of …
Role of Shorthorn Cattle in American Agricultural History
Shorthorn Cattle and Early American Farms The holds a significant place in American agricultural history. As settlers pushed westward, Shorthorns became the most common cattle breed found on farms and …
Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Chickens in American Agriculture
Chickens: The Early Livestock Staple of Pioneer Farms Cattle and hogs are widely recognized today as major livestock staples on American farms and ranches. However, during the mid-1800s, it was …
Life on a Midwest Farm in the 1840s
The Early Midwest Homestead In the 1840s Midwest, the average family farm covered about 100 acres—large enough to support crops, livestock, and a self-sustaining lifestyle. Homes were often handmade one-room …
Marietta, Ohio: First Settlement of the Northwest Territory
A Landmark in Westward Expansion: 1788 and the Northwest Territory In the annals of American history, 1788 marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s westward expansion. As settlers moved beyond …
How Pioneers Hunted and Preserved Food After 1776
The First Push Westward Following the end of the Revolutionary War, the United States entered a new chapter of expansion and exploration. The first major wave of westward migration began …