Trail crossing, Central Oregon, 1910 / Courtesy of Library of Congress Mark Oppold, in his American Agriculture History Minute, highlights the Oregon Trail as one of the most significant routes…
Jon Kinzenbaw: A Modern Pioneer in Agricultural Innovation
Introduction to an Agricultural Visionary Mark Oppold’s American Agriculture History Minute highlights the remarkable contributions of Jon Kinzenbaw—a man whose ingenuity helped reshape modern farming practices across North America. Born…
From Southeast Asia to U.S. Groves: The Journey of Citrus
…years and span continents, cultures, and trade routes. In this American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights the fascinating journey of citrus—from ancient beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of American…
World Ag Expo 2026: Inside the Success with Megan Lausten
Megan Lausten Marketing Manager for World Ag Expo The World Ag Expo continues to raise the bar for agricultural events worldwide—and in a recent interview with “The Ag Meter” host…
Clovis Rodeo and World Ag Expo Highlight Strength of Ag Community and Industry Events
…agriculture. Looking ahead, Lausten shared that 2027 will mark the 60th anniversary of World Ag Expo, with plans already underway to make the milestone event even more impactful. “We’re looking…
From Hand-Husking to Horse Power: The Evolution of Corn Harvesting
The Labor of Early Corn Harvesting Coming up on This Land of Ours, it’s the daily Ag History Minute. Mark Oppold brings us a glimpse into the demanding realities of…
Livestock Legacy to Corn Innovation: The Story of Eugene Funk
The Roots of Agricultural Excellence Mark Oppold, in his American Agriculture History Minute, highlights the remarkable journey of Eugene Funk—a figure whose contributions helped shape modern corn production in the…
National Western Stock Show: A Legacy of American Agriculture
A Historic Beginning in Denver According to agricultural historian Mark Oppold, the National Western Stock Show in Denver first began in 1906, establishing itself as one of the most enduring…
Early Agricultural Experiments in Kansas: A Government-Led Effort
Expanding West After the Louisiana Purchase In the early 1820s, following the landmark Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the United States government began turning its attention toward agricultural development in the…
From Soldiers to Sodbusters: How Union Veterans Settled Kansas
…Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Sponsored Content CIR Agriculture Harvester Products March 1, 2026 Let’s Talk Livestock Risk Protection For Those Beef On Dairy Animals – Matt…
From Failed Crops to the Wheat State: Early Kansas Agriculture
…laid the foundation for Kansas’s enduring identity as a wheat powerhouse — a legacy that continues to shape American agriculture today. I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute….
Colonial Fur Trade and Wheat Demand Shaped Early American Farming
…international markets. In the early 1700s, demand from Europe for both natural resources and food helped drive economic growth across several regions of the American colonies. From the booming fur…
Early American Farmers and the Cycle of Moving West
American agriculture has always been shaped by the land—and by how farmers chose to use it. In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, agricultural broadcaster Mark Oppold highlights the work of…
The Hard Lessons of the Great Plains: Early Settler Struggles
Early Settlers vs. Harsh Realities The promise of the Great Plains as fertile, open land for farming drew many settlers westward in the 19th century. However, as Mark Oppold highlights…