…of the growing colonies. In this installment of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold explores the crops that helped shape early American agriculture, including barley, peas, Indian corn, tobacco,…
Plantation Agriculture Shaped Early American Farming
…the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold examines the beginnings of plantation agriculture in colonial America, its geographic expansion, and the role different crops played in the early agricultural economy….
How European Immigrants Shaped Early American Agriculture
…History Minute This installment of American Agriculture History Minute features Mark Oppold exploring how European ethnic traditions influenced early American farming practices. How European Immigrants Shaped Early American Agriculture Sponsored…
How Radio Helped Transform American Agriculture
…illustrated an important early connection between agricultural markets, government information and emerging communications technology. USDA Market Broadcasts Expand Across the Country Agricultural radio broadcasting grew rapidly during its early years….
Westward Expansion: Early Pioneers and American Agriculture
…In this edition of American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold explores the early movement of settlers beyond the Appalachian Mountains and the farmers and ranchers who helped begin America’s westward…
How Crop Rotation Helped American Farmers Protect Soil Fertility
…Mark Oppold explains in the American Agriculture History Minute, many early farmers believed that land was plentiful and that additional acreage would always be available as new farming opportunities emerged…
Westward Expansion Shaped Early American Farming
…income and land acquisition. These practices helped lay the groundwork for the growth of American agriculture and the development of broader agricultural markets. The story of these early farms illustrates…
Iowa’s Prairie Landscape Drew Waves of Midwest Settlers
Midwest Migration Transformed American Agriculture By the 1850s, migration into the American Midwest had grown into a massive movement of families seeking new opportunities and land to settle. As Mark…
Westward Expansion Brought New Farming Traditions to the Midwest
…In this edition of American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold explores how settlers from different regions of the United States contributed their agricultural expertise to the expanding western frontier. Westward…
Draft Horses Transform American Farming in the 1800s
…a growing demand for stronger, more powerful draft horses, helping establish the Midwest as an important center for draft horse breeding. In this edition of American Agriculture History Minute, Mark…
American Agriculture Hall of Fame Honors Ag’s Greatest Contributors
…and changing markets. The individuals honored in the Hall of Fame helped drive many of those changes. Located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, near Kansas City, the Agricultural Hall of Fame…
Post-Civil War Wheat Prices Push Farmers Toward Corn and Livestock
Wheat Boom During the Civil War Gives Way to a Market Collapse During the Civil War, strong wheat prices encouraged many American farmers to plant more of the crop. With…
The Evolution of the Farm Silo Began in 1873
…to farmers’ needs. This history is featured in American Agriculture History Minute, presented by Mark Oppold. That’s today’s American Agriculture History Minute. The Evolution of the Farm Silo Began in…
How the FFA Blue Jacket Became an American Tradition
…As Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, the young FFA members at the convention recognized that the jackets were something special. Their appearance helped inspire official delegates…