…how policy decisions over the past several decades have changed the landscape for farmers. In a recent Ag Meter podcast interview, host Nick Papagni sat down with Geoffrey Vanden Heuvel…
California Water Debate: Can Farming’s Future Be Secured?
…Water Blueprint, a coalition of agricultural stakeholders working to develop long-term water solutions. The research suggests that if groundwater restrictions force widespread land fallowing, the region could see $7–8 billion…
The Rise of Open Range Ranching on the Great Plains
…United States. Vast stretches of grassland, relatively few settlements, and favorable grazing conditions made the region ideal for what became known as open range ranching. During this period, cattle could…
Early American Farmers Move West After the Revolution
…Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina began crossing the Appalachian Mountains in search of new land and opportunity. For many families, the frontier represented a chance to own land and build…
Marietta and the Birth of America’s Northwest Frontier
…into the western frontier. Its location provided settlers with reliable river transportation, fertile farmland, and access to expanding trade networks. Early pioneers cleared land, built homes, and began cultivating crops…
The Growth of American Agriculture: From Colonial Times to the Mid-20th Century
…agricultural products to both domestic and international markets. Most farms during this era were small and family-oriented, designed primarily to meet the needs of those who worked the land. Yet,…
Dairy Leadership, Innovation, and Challenges with Melvin Medeiros
…and land requirements per gallon of milk produced. For farmers, sustainability isn’t a buzzword; it’s a necessity tied directly to their goal of passing farms on to the next generation….
America’s Westward Expansion and the Transformation of Agriculture
…to distant markets. Together, land expansion and transportation innovation created unprecedented opportunities for American agriculture. Cheap, Fertile Land — At a Cost For ambitious farmers, the expanding frontier offered a…
Ethnicity’s Role in Early American Agriculture
…Herding traditions were deeply rooted in the landscapes of Scotland and Ireland, where grazing animals played a central economic role. Livestock as Economic Foundation Cattle and hogs were adaptable to…
Cannon Michael Warns West Side Farmers Face Major Challenges with 15% Water Allocation
…melons, cotton, onions, garlic, carrots, pistachios, almonds, and herbs, along with managing hundreds of acres of wetland habitat along the Pacific Flyway. Despite the operation’s scale and diversification, water uncertainty…
640 Acres and a Fresh Start: Early Tennessee Land Grants
…land represented a new beginning and the promise of independence. 640 Acres — Generous but Untouched Many early settlers received land grants in exchange for military service. Standard grants often…
Stephanie Nash: From California to Tennessee, Fighting for American Agriculture
…water shortages and heavy regulations—but brought new challenges, particularly land loss due to rapid population growth. Advocacy Born During COVID Stephanie’s advocacy began during the COVID pandemic. Observing misinformation online…
St. Genevieve: Early French Farming on the Mississippi
…Agriculture was not simply an occupation; it was the foundation of the settlement’s survival. These early farmers worked the fertile but unpredictable land, establishing one of the earliest agricultural communities…
Fighting for Family Farms: Stephanie Moreda-Arend on Point Reyes’ Future
…family farming in California. With decades of history on the land, she shares the challenges her community faces from powerful nonprofits, legal pressures, and political shifts—and why small, sustainable farms…