…Harriet Strong a true pioneer in American agricultural and engineering history. Harriet Strong: Visionary Behind Hoover Dam and Water Conservation I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Sponsored…
Bonanza Farms: How Railroads Transformed Wheat Production in America
…distant markets. These rail connections made it possible to move large volumes of grain efficiently, fueling a dramatic transformation in American agriculture. Between 1875 and 1890, this expansion gave rise…
The Cooper Barn: A Kansas Landmark of American Agricultural History
…the scale and significance of American agriculture and the people who built it. The Cooper Barn: A Kansas Landmark of American Agricultural History — Mark Oppold, American Agriculture History Minute…
Corn Shelling Bees: How Community and Early Technology Shaped American Agriculture
…innovation dramatically improved efficiency and marked an important step toward mechanized farming practices. From Community Labor to Mechanized Progress The shift from hand shelling and shelling bees to mechanical shellers…
How the Great Depression Transformed American Farmland
…just soil that disappeared—it was hope. Out of that devastation came a powerful movement that would forever change the way farmers and ranchers cared for the land. I’m Mark Oppold,…
Corn Shelling Bees: How Early Americans Processed Corn by Hand
…1800s, mechanical corn shellers were introduced to simplify and speed up the shelling process. These early machines reduced the need for large group labor and marked a significant step toward…
National Corn Husking Association: Preserving the Tradition of Hand-Harvested Corn
…Corn Husking Association: Preserving the Tradition of Hand-Harvested Corn Author Bio: Mark Oppold brings history to life with the American Agriculture History Minute, highlighting the traditions, innovations, and stories that…
The Louisiana Purchase: How Thomas Jefferson Secured America’s Agricultural Future
…much long-term impact as the Louisiana Purchase. While often remembered for dramatically expanding the nation’s borders, the acquisition was driven by practical concerns—especially agriculture, trade, and access to markets. As…
How Weather Shaped Early American Agriculture
An American Agriculture History Minute with Mark Oppold AI image created by ChatGPT Early American farming was never just about the land—it was about the weather. In this American Agriculture…
Largest Barns in the United States
AI image created by ChatGPT Exploring the Debate Over the Biggest Barns in the United States By Mark Oppold – American Agriculture History Minute When it comes to American agriculture,…
The Westward Expansion of American Agriculture: Wheat, Corn, and the Rise of Dairy Farming
…and railroads, moving bulk grain to distant markets was extremely difficult. Hogs solved that problem. Farmers could feed surplus corn to hogs, then walk the livestock to market when ready…
How Early Agriculture Shaped Ohio: Insights from Mark Oppold
…Today, Ohio’s agricultural sector continues to reflect that legacy—built from centuries of cultivation, innovation, and collaboration. How Early Agriculture Shaped Ohio: Insights from Mark Oppold Reported by Mark Oppold Sponsored…
The Missouri River: A Key Chapter in American Agriculture History
…As Mark Oppold explains in an American Agriculture History Minute, early settlers who crossed the Mississippi River often found themselves facing the Missouri River as they entered the vast expanse…
The Legacy of Land-Grant Universities in American Agriculture History
The Morrill Act of 1862 and the Birth of Land-Grant Universities Courtesy od…