A Defining Route in Agricultural History The Oregon Trail remains one of the most significant routes in American history, playing a vital role in the nation’s agricultural development. Stretching 2,170 …
Illinois River History: Gateway to Agriculture and Trade
A Vital Waterway in the Heart of the Midwest The Illinois River has long been an essential part of America’s agricultural history. Stretching 273 miles, the river begins at the …
Colorado River: Lifeline of the American West
A Vital Waterway in American Agriculture The Colorado River, stretching an impressive 1,450 miles, stands as the fifth-longest river in the United States. Its name, Colorado, comes from the Spanish …
Franklin King: Pioneer of Modern Organic Farming
Introduction to Franklin King Franklin King is a significant yet often overlooked figure in American agricultural history. Born in 1848 in Whitewater, Wisconsin, King made lasting contributions to the field …
The Origins of Conveyor Grain Elevators in 19th Century America
Revolutionizing Grain Storage The 19th century was a period of rapid innovation in American agriculture, with one of the most transformative developments being the conveyor-type grain elevator. These mechanical marvels …
Jean Étienne de Boré: Pioneer of Granulated Sugar in Louisiana
A Little-Known Agricultural Innovator In the story of American agriculture, many names stand out, but others remain lesser known despite their lasting impact. One such figure is Jean Étienne de …
E.T. York: Advancing American Agriculture Through Education and Leadership
A Legacy Beyond the Farm and the Laboratory In the history of American agriculture, some of the most influential figures never planted a field or worked in a laboratory. One …
Henry Groseclose and the Founding of FFA: A Legacy in Agricultural Education
The Vision of Henry Groseclose (1920) Henry Groseclose holds a vital place in American agricultural history. As an agricultural education teacher at Blacksburg, Virginia High School, Groseclose recognized the importance …
Norman Borlaug: The Father of the Green Revolution
Honoring a Pioneer in American Agriculture In the story of modern agriculture, few names stand as tall as Norman Borlaug. Born in Cresco, Iowa, in 1914, Borlaug devoted his life …
Native American Agriculture: Roots of U.S. Farming
Rethinking the “Pristine Wilderness” Myth When Europeans first arrived in the New World, many believed they had discovered untouched wilderness—vast forests, endless plains, and fertile river valleys waiting to be …
Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture: America’s First Farm Organization
Agriculture’s Early Roots in America Agriculture has always been at the heart of America’s growth. Long before tractors, hybrid seeds, or modern irrigation systems, farmers and thinkers were searching for …
Henry A. Wallace: Innovator, Journalist, and Statesman
A Pioneer in Agriculture Henry A. Wallace is widely celebrated as the father of hybrid seed corn and the founder of the Pioneer Hybrid Seed Company. His groundbreaking work in …
John W. Tyson: Missouri Farmer Builds Poultry Legacy
Seizing Opportunity During the Great Depression The Great Depression challenged countless rural American families, yet it also offered opportunities for those in the right place at the right time. In …
Henry A. Wallace: Father of Hybrid Corn
A Young Innovator in Iowa In 1904, a 16-year-old high school student in Iowa began experimenting with corn in the hopes of boosting crop yields. That student, Henry A. Wallace, …