…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
…plant corn more efficiently and accurately. Their breakthrough came shortly after the partnership was established with the introduction of the Deere Rotary Adjustable Corn Planter. The planter featured a revolutionary…
Popcorn’s Remarkable Journey Through American Agricultural History
…early European settlers to many corn-growing techniques, helping establish corn as one of America’s foundational crops. Popcorn Arrives in the United States Marketplace By the 1840s, corn kernels were being…
Sweet Beginnings: How Candy in America Grew from Colonial Agriculture
…America’s Candy Industry As colonial America expanded, crops such as corn and sugar cane became increasingly important to the developing economy. These agricultural commodities were not only used for food…
From Farming to Fast-Growing Trees: Darren Schmall’s Vision for California Agriculture
…pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted attractions, wine tasting rooms, and finally the highly successful ApCal Rock and Ranch concert venue in Madera County. Today, the three-acre outdoor amphitheater seats approximately…
Lewis and Clark: Discovering Agriculture in the American Frontier
…and build stable societies. Crops such as corn, beans, and squash—often referred to as the “Three Sisters”—formed the backbone of their agricultural success. Because of these practices, these communities were…
Garst & Hybrid Corn: From Iowa to the Cold War
The Birth of a Seed Revolution In 1931, Roswell Garst and Charlie Thomas founded the Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Company in Coon Rapids. Their work came at a time…
USDA’s Fordyce: Policy, Pressure & Promise for Farmers
…story begins where many great ag leaders are built—on the farm. A fourth-generation Missouri farmer, he grew up raising corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle. That hands-on experience continues to shape…
Popcorn Through the Ages: From Ancient Origins to American Staple
…shape. Popcorn Arrives in the United States Popcorn made its way into American markets in the 19th century. Corn kernels were first sold on the East Coast of the United…
Sweet Beginnings: How Candy Grew from American Agriculture
…so on the backs of hardworking farm families who cultivated the land and produced the food that sustained communities. But agriculture’s impact extended beyond feeding the population. Crops like corn…
From Hand-Husking to Horse Power: The Evolution of Corn Harvesting
…early American agriculture—specifically, the challenge of harvesting corn. Growing corn has long been a cornerstone of American farming, but historically, harvesting it was an entirely different story. Before modern machinery…
Livestock Legacy to Corn Innovation: The Story of Eugene Funk
…Funk can still be seen in modern seed technology and hybrid crop development—cornerstones of global food production. Livestock Legacy to Corn Innovation: The Story of Eugene Funk Sponsored Content CIR…
From Gold Rush to Green Fields: The Agricultural Roots of Colorado
…were cultivating what is commonly known as the “Three Sisters”—corn, soybeans, and squash. This companion planting method was not only sustainable but highly efficient, with each crop supporting the growth…
Early Agricultural Experiments in Kansas: A Government-Led Effort
…the cultivation of corn. These communities possessed valuable knowledge about the land, climate, and growing conditions—knowledge that had sustained them for generations. The U.S. government saw an opportunity to build…