…of people. Instead, it evolved through the exchange of crops, farming knowledge, and agricultural practices between Native Americans and European immigrants. According to today’s American Agriculture History Minute with Mark…
State Fairs: A Tradition Rooted in Agricultural Competition
…friendly competition among farm families eventually evolved into some of the largest and most celebrated annual events in the United States. According to agricultural historian Mark Oppold, the origins of…
Cotton’s Early Roots in America: From Columbus to the Cotton Gin
…did interest in cotton production. By 1616, colonists were successfully growing cotton along the James River in Virginia. These early efforts marked the beginning of what would become a major…
Windmills and American Agriculture: Powering Farms Across Generations
…the power of the wind to pump water, support livestock operations, and sustain life in some of the most remote farming regions. According to agricultural historian Mark Oppold, the story…
FFA Surpasses One Million Members: Kristy Meyer Shares Why the Future of Agriculture Is Bright
…Kristy Meyer, Marketing and Communications Lead for the National FFA Organization, shared exciting updates about FFA’s continued growth, the organization’s impact on young leaders, and what members can expect at…
How Rural Electrification Changed American Agriculture Forever
…today: electricity. While cities and towns embraced electric power during the early decades of the 20th century, millions of farm families remained in the dark. According to agricultural historian Mark…
California Trucking Industry Faces Ongoing Pressure From Fuel and Insurance Costs
Photo by Josh Withers on Unsplash California’s agricultural transportation sector continues to navigate a challenging operating environment, according to insights shared on AgNet News Hour. Mark Woods of Wildwood Trucking in…
The History of Soybeans in America: From Ship Ballast to Agricultural Powerhouse
…History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights the fascinating history of soybeans in America, tracing their journey from ship ballast in the early 1800s to one of the nation’s most valuable crops,…
Why Is Corn Called Corn? The Surprising History Behind Agriculture’s Most Familiar Crop
…is far more interesting than many people realize. According to agricultural historian Mark Oppold, the term “corn” has historically meant different things depending on where you lived in the English-speaking…
From Cross-Check Planting to Modern Corn Rows: How Charles Deere Helped Transform Corn Production
…way farmers planted corn, a staple crop that helped fuel the growth of the United States. According to agricultural historian Mark Oppold, corn planting methods in the late 1700s and…
How Deere & Mansour Revolutionized Corn Planting in 19th Century America
…accurate corn planting, a critical factor in maximizing yields and reducing wasted seed. The solution came through an innovative partnership that would leave a lasting mark on agricultural history. Recognizing…
California Trucking, Fuel Costs, and Agriculture’s Future: What Mark Woods and Ellington Smith Want Farmers to Know
Ellington Smith (left) and Mark Woods (right) California’s farmers and truckers are facing some of the toughest economic conditions in decades. Rising fuel prices, increasing insurance costs, growing regulations, and…
California Trucking Industry Grapples with Rising Fuel Costs and Regulatory Pressure
…News Hour. During the program, Wildwood Trucking owner Mark Woods discussed the difficult business environment facing transportation companies that play a critical role in moving California’s agricultural products across the…
The California Trail and America’s Agricultural Expansion West
…explained by agricultural historian Mark Oppold, many early pioneers initially stopped along the Missouri River and settled in areas that are now part of Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. These regions…