…agriculture did not happen immediately. Clearing land for crops required enormous effort, and many settlers lacked the time and resources to plant fields during their first seasons on the frontier….
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…
Fresno’s Pappy’s Seasoning: A Family Legacy Built on Flavor
…with chef Jonathan Evans called Volcano Johnny’s, featuring specialty hot sauces, hot honey, and infused olive oils. For entrepreneurs with a great recipe but limited resources, Eddie recommends partnering with…
The Growth of American Agriculture: From Colonial Times to the Mid-20th Century
…in farming technology and infrastructure, including better tools, improved seed varieties, and the spread of railroads, which made shipping crops more efficient. Mid-20th Century Trends After 1910, however, the number…
America’s Westward Expansion and the Transformation of Agriculture
…its value. This process became a pattern repeated across generations. A farmer would: Purchase inexpensive frontier land Clear timber and prepare fields Build a farmhouse and outbuildings Cultivate crops and…
Cannon Michael Highlights Farming Challenges; USDA’s Luke Lindberg Talks Trade Gains
…Los Banos and Merced, producing a wide range of crops including tomatoes, melons, cotton, carrots, garlic, onions, almonds, pistachios, and specialty herbs. While diversification has helped the company remain competitive,…
Six Generations of Farming: Cannon Michael on Water, Innovation, and the Future of California Agriculture
…Flyway for migrating birds. From Three Crops to Major Diversification When Michael assumed leadership of the farm in 2014, Bowles Farming Company focused primarily on three crops: alfalfa, barley, and…
Cannon Michael Warns West Side Farmers Face Major Challenges with 15% Water Allocation
…the business, which traces its roots back to the historic Miller & Lux cattle enterprise of the mid-1800s. Today, the operation farms roughly 11,000 acres of diverse crops, including tomatoes,…
Fertilizer: The Overlooked Revolution in American Agriculture
…crops were planted, harvested, and processed. But high on that list — and one that many times slips by our memories — is something far less mechanical, yet just as…
640 Acres and a Fresh Start: Early Tennessee Land Grants
…The land was abundant — but it demanded hard labor before it could produce. Survival Before Crops It was not an easy road. Before thinking about planting crops, early settlers…
Sharing Knowledge on the Frontier: Early Agricultural Extension in America
Early American settlers faced a unique challenge: producing enough food and cash crops in unfamiliar lands with limited resources. In the absence of modern communications, these pioneers relied heavily on…
Missouri’s Mule Legacy in American Agriculture
…By raising mules alongside other crops and livestock, farmers diversified their operations and strengthened their financial stability. Horses Still Ruled the Farm Despite Missouri’s strong mule reputation, horses remained the…
Missouri’s Deep Agricultural Roots: From French Settlers to Today
…Ceres atop the Capitol dome reflects Missouri’s deep agricultural roots. As the goddess of crops and fertility, Ceres symbolizes the central role farming has played in shaping the state’s development…
Learning, Networking, and a Change of Scenery: Why California Growers May Want to Head to Fort Myers in 2026
…Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for August 12–13 in Fort Myers, Florida, is designed to do exactly that — combining high-value education and networking with a setting that makes…