…while yellow corn was largely considered livestock feed, primarily used for horses rather than for human consumption. Changing Consumer Perception of Corn The introduction of golden cream style corn marked…
How 19th-Century Technology Transformed Corn and Wheat Farming
…estimated that producing 100 bushels of corn required between 75 and 90 labor hours. That level of production typically came from 2½ to 3 acres of corn, reflecting both modest…
When American Farming Shifted From Hand Power to Horsepower
…corn, requiring 2½ to 3 acres of land. Most of this work depended on hand tools and basic animal assistance, making farming both time-consuming and physically demanding. A Transformational Era:…
How Mechanization Transformed Corn Farming in America
…In this American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold outlines how corn production efficiency evolved between 1850 and 1930—revealing how fewer labor hours and less land dramatically increased productivity. Corn Production…
Soil Health, Water, and the Future of Farming With Live Earth
…results from corn trials where the same amount of nitrogen fertilizer produced more bushels simply by blending it with humic acid. Addressing Water, Salt, and Marginal Soils In California, water…
Ohio’s Early Agriculture: Corn, Wheat, and Tobacco
…a powerhouse in American agriculture. By 1849, the state produced more corn than any other state in the nation. In addition to its corn production, Ohio ranked second nationally in…
The History of Corn Harvesting in American Agriculture: From Hand-Husked Fields to Mechanization
AI image created by ChatGPT Hand-Harvesting Corn – A Labor-Intensive Tradition Corn has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture, but harvesting it in the early 20th century was a…
Corn Shelling Bees: How Community and Early Technology Shaped American Agriculture
…shelling corn one ear at a time, making it a significant seasonal burden on farm households. Corn Shelling Bees: A Community Tradition Because of the difficulty involved, corn shelling was…
Corn Shelling Bees: How Early Americans Processed Corn by Hand
Corn Shelling Bees: A Cornerstone of Early American Agriculture AI image created by ChatGPT Corn has played a vital role in American agriculture since the nation’s earliest days. Long before…
National Corn Husking Association: Preserving the Tradition of Hand-Harvested Corn
…also precision, making corn husking a vital part of rural life and culture. The National Corn Husking Association Keeps the Tradition Alive Today, the National Corn Husking Association (NCHA) continues…
How Weather Shaped Early American Agriculture
…Wheat and Corn in Cooler Regions In cooler regions, wheat became a staple crop, particularly when land was newly settled. Wheat’s resilience in cooler climates made it an ideal choice…
The Westward Expansion of American Agriculture: Wheat, Corn, and the Rise of Dairy Farming
…nation’s agricultural expansion. Corn, Hogs, and the Practical Realities of Early Midwest Farming In the Midwest, a different combination of agricultural practices defined the region: corn and hogs. Corn grew…
How Early Agriculture Shaped Ohio: Insights from Mark Oppold
…region, American Indian tribes had already built a thriving agricultural system in Ohio. These communities cultivated staple crops that became the backbone of early American diets, including: Corn Soybeans Squash…
Faith, Farming, and the Future: Dan Janzen at the Organic Growers Summit
…productivity, noting that fast-growing crops like corn rapidly deplete CO₂ at ground level when actively photosynthesizing. He emphasized that farmers already use CO₂ enrichment in greenhouses to boost growth. Dan…