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, …
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 …
Don Cameron: California Ag Leadership & Challenges
A Farmer and Leader in California Agriculture Don Cameron, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, is not only a prominent voice in policy but also a …
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, …
U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Boosts Agriculture and Energy Exports
New U.S.-Indonesia Trade Agreement Opens Doors for American Agriculture President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping trade agreement with Indonesia, marking a major milestone in strengthening economic ties between the …
Three Sisters: America’s Oldest Crop Collaboration
How Corn, Beans, and Squash Worked Together to Feed a Nation In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights one of the most enduring and ingenious agricultural systems brought …
Corn Plantings Rise, Soybeans and Cotton Fall in 2025
WASHINGTON, June 30, 2025 – The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its annual Acreage Report today, showing key shifts in U.S. crop planting for 2025. Corn continues to …
How Native Crops and European Grains Shaped U.S. Agriculture
The Crop Exchange That Built American Farming In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold revisits a pivotal moment in agricultural development—when cultures collided and crops crossed …
AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 06-25-25
AgNet News Hour: Joel Allen Talks West Side Farming, Water, and Raising an NFL Quarterback Today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour dives into California’s pressing ag issues, with a …
Birth of the Rotary Corn Planter: A Milestone in Agricultural Innovation
American Agriculture History Minute: Deere and Mansour’s Breakthrough in the 1800s In the mid-1800s, the American agricultural industry faced a critical need: a more accurate corn planting solution. Rising to …
American Agriculture History Minute: Early International Relations and Cold War Impact
Mark Oppold presents an American Agriculture History minute, focusing on the history of the Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Company. The story begins in 1931 when Roswell Garst and Charlie …
American Agriculture History Minute: Eugene Funk’s Family Background
Mark Oppold presents an American agriculture history minute focuses on Eugene Funk, grandson of Isaac Funk, who was one of McLean County, Illinois’ pioneering settlers and renowned livestock producers. Eugene’s …
Corn and Wheat Inspections Climb Higher
The USDA says inspections of corn and wheat were higher, while soybean assessments declined during the week ending on April 10. Corn inspections rose week to week, increasing to 1.83 …
NCGA Launching a New Consider Corn Challenge
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is launching the fifth Consider Corn Challenge, a contest in which participants can submit proposals for new uses of field corn that have quantifiable …