The Immigrant Influence on American Agriculture I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Ethnic groups played a vital role in shaping early American agriculture. Immigrants brought unique farming …
How Railroads Transformed American Agriculture
The Iron Tracks That Changed Rural America I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Railroads dramatically changed the face of agriculture and rural America as the nation expanded …
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
A Turning Point in Agricultural Education In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service—a transformative program that reshaped how Americans learned about farming, …
How Rural Electrification Transformed U.S. Farms
Life Before Electricity on the Farm In the early 1930s, life in rural America looked vastly different from city living. Roughly nine out of ten rural homes were without electric …
Gage A. Kent and the Birth of Kent Feeds
Revolutionizing Cattle Feeding in the 1920s In the mid-1920s, central Iowa cattle feeder Gage A. Kent recognized that raising superior cattle required more than care—it required proper nutrition. While most …
The Iconic Case Eagle Logo: A Symbol of History and Innovation
The Story Behind Case’s Iconic Eagle Logo Logos are more than just graphics—they are enduring symbols of a company’s identity. From the Leaping Deer of John Deere to the Checkerboard …
Purina’s Checkerboard Logo: An Agricultural Icon
A Symbol Rooted in Childhood The Ralston Purina checkerboard logo remains one of the most recognizable symbols in American agriculture. Its history stretches back to 1904, when company founder William …
Grand Island: From Settlers’ Trail to Husker Harvest Days
Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Each September, Grand Island, Nebraska, becomes the center of attention in the farming world as it hosts Husker Harvest Days. Known as one of …
Plymouth Colony Crops: Corn, Tobacco, and Early Trade
The First Crops in Plymouth Colony When the first settlers arrived in Plymouth, they planted barley and peas brought from England. But their most important crop soon became Indian corn, …
Ohio River: A Lifeline of American Agriculture
Introduction The Ohio River has played a crucial role in shaping American agriculture and commerce. Stretching nearly a thousand miles, this historic waterway has been central to trade, transportation, and …
Iowa Farmer Unearths Rare Treasure from the 1850s
A Remarkable Discovery in Iowa Agriculture In March 2017, history surfaced in an Iowa farm field when farmer Robert Ellis made an extraordinary discovery. While plowing near the Missouri River, …
Oregon Trail: How It Shaped American Agriculture
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 …