…Farming Company manages roughly 11,000 acres near Los Banos and across the western San Joaquin Valley. The operation is remarkably diverse, producing carrots, sweet corn, garlic, onions, watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydew,…
Mid-1840s Iowa Farms: How Corn Created the Tall Corn State
…turning point for the state’s agricultural future. According to Oppold, hogs thrived on corn-based diets, performing better than they had on previous feed sources. As livestock production improved, corn became…
Michelle Miller “Farm Babe” Says Farmers Must Tell Their Story Before Someone Else Does
…Having spent years farming in Iowa, she understands large-scale corn, soybean, cattle, and hay production. But her travels have introduced her to the incredible diversity found elsewhere, particularly in states…
How Immigrant Traditions Shaped Early American Agriculture
…first to cultivate corn for multiple purposes. They grew corn not only for human consumption but also as an important feed source for livestock, helping establish corn as one of…
Khyle Aphay’s FFA Journey Shows the Power of Leadership and Opportunity
…a traditional farm, agriculture has always been part of his life. His grandparents maintained a backyard garden where they grew vegetables, especially corn, and he enjoyed helping them water plants…
The Three Revolutions That Transformed American Agriculture
…farming. At approximately the same time, agricultural innovator Henry Wallace introduced hybrid seed corn, a breakthrough that significantly improved crop yields and consistency. Hybrid corn became one of the most…
USDA’s Fordyce Highlights SPUR Initiative, Screwworm Fight, and Historic Farm Support
…being a lifelong farmer himself. Fordyce agreed, explaining that while his own Missouri operation focused on corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle, farming teaches practical problem-solving skills that apply across every…
USDA’s Luke Lindberg Highlights Trade Progress Ahead of America’s 250th Celebration
…several international markets showing strong momentum for U.S. agriculture, including Vietnam, where exports of cotton, tree nuts, wheat, and corn have reached record levels. He also pointed to growing opportunities…
James Oliver’s Chilled Plow Revolutionized Agriculture Worldwide
…skin, while maintaining a tougher interior structure. This combination provided exceptional durability and performance. The innovation proved particularly valuable in the eastern Corn Belt, where farmers battled dense, sticky soils….
The Three Sisters: An Ancient Farming Method That Helped Shape American Agriculture
…Sister In the Three Sisters garden, corn is considered the oldest sister. Growing tall and strong, corn served as the natural support structure for the other crops. The sturdy stalks…
Crops That Shaped Early America: How Native and European Agriculture Built a Nation
…be known as the Corn Belt. Fertile soils and favorable growing conditions allowed these crops to flourish, creating one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Corn became…
From Threshers to Tractors: The Origins of Massey-Harris
…rapid expansion beyond Canadian borders and into the fertile Corn Belt region of the United States. Farmers throughout North America increasingly relied on Massey-Harris equipment to improve productivity and reduce…
The History of Irrigation: From Ancient Civilizations to Modern American Agriculture
…practices. Modern Irrigation in American Agriculture Today, irrigation is a cornerstone of American agriculture. Modern systems can efficiently deliver water across thousands of acres with remarkable precision. Technologies such as…
Why Is Corn Called Corn? The Surprising History Behind Agriculture’s Most Familiar Crop
…including Canada and Australia. Today, while scientists and international agricultural organizations often use the term maize for clarity, most Americans simply call it corn. Corn’s Ancient Origins Although corn is…