…store, pocketbooks often make the decision,” he said. Even so, he noted that demand remains strong. “Even with record prices, consumers are still buying American beef because of its quality.”…
How Draft Horses Powered American Farming
…scale of American agriculture. Breeding Draft Horses in the Midwest As the demand for draft horses grew, American breeders in states such as Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois became national…
Post–Civil War Wheat Crash: How Farmers Turned to Corn and Livestock
…guide agricultural innovation, helping shape the modern American farm. Post–Civil War Wheat Crash: How Farmers Turned to Corn and Livestock Source: American Agriculture History Minute with Mark Oppold Sponsored Content…
Ag Hall of Fame: Honoring U.S. Agricultural Pioneers
…society. Honoring the Pioneers of American Farming The first inductees after the Hall’s establishment included some of the most recognizable names in agricultural and American history: George Washington Carver, renowned…
Building the Future of Farming: Insights from UC ANR’s Gabe Youtsey at FIRA USA 2025
…every level—from PhDs designing new technology to farm workers learning to operate advanced equipment. Why Saving American Farming Matters Though not a farmer himself, Youtsey’s passion for agriculture comes from…
First American Silo: How Fred Hatch Revolutionized Grain Storage in 1873
DepositPhotos image A Pioneering Moment in American Agriculture In 1873, Illinois farmer Fred Hatch built what is believed to be America’s first version of the modern silo. During this period,…
How the Cargill Brothers Built an Agricultural Empire in Iowa
…A Legacy Rooted in American Agriculture From a single grain flat house to a worldwide operation, the Cargill story embodies the resilience and ingenuity that define American farmers. The company’s…
The Birth of the FFA Blue Jacket: A Proud Tradition Since 1933
Courtesy of National FFA Organization The Beginning of a National Legacy I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The history of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) is…
George Washington and Slavery: A Complex Legacy
…supported both his personal wealth and the early American economy. George Washington and Slavery: A Complex Legacy Presidential Actions on Slavery As president, Washington navigated the tensions of a young…
Van Groningen & Sons: A Century of California Farming
…standards and strictest regulations in the best growing region on Earth.” The Yosemite Fresh Label: Quality You Can Trust The Yosemite Fresh label represents Van Groningen & Sons’ premium produce—most…
How Ralston Purina Revolutionized American Agriculture
…Impact on American Agriculture Today, the story of Ralston Purina stands as a cornerstone in the history of American agricultural innovation. From its humble beginnings in the 1890s to its…
Pumpkin Power and Precision Tech: California Agriculture Shines on AgNet News Hour
…the heart of American farming. Van Groningen, dubbed the “Pumpkin King of California,” joined the show from Manteca, where his family farm grows over 60 varieties of pumpkins ranging from…
How Wheat Transformed Mid-Atlantic Farming Before the American Revolution
…grow. As Mark Oppold notes in his American Agriculture History Minute, the mid-Atlantic’s agricultural story before the American Revolution is one of adaptation, opportunity, and global connection. What began as…
Verdant Robotics and Van Groningen & Sons Showcase Innovation and Tradition on AgNet News Hour
…across more than 30 crops and is rapidly expanding into both U.S. and Central American markets. In the second half of the show, the focus shifted from futuristic farming to…