How Irrigation Transformed Farming Across Thousands of Years Water has always been one of the most critical resources in agriculture. Without a reliable water supply, growing crops consistently would be …
The History of Soybeans in America: From Ship Ballast to Agricultural Powerhouse
The Remarkable Journey of Soybeans in American Agriculture Soybeans are now one of the most important crops in American agriculture, covering millions of acres across the United States and serving …
From Small Arkansas Startup to National Ag Leader: The Helena Story
Humble Beginnings Along the Mississippi River In 1957, a small chemical manufacturing company quietly opened its doors in West Helena, Arkansas, a town situated along the Mississippi River just south …
From Wagons to Pickups: The Evolution of Farm Transportation
Early Transportation on the Farm Machinery, livestock, and crops have always needed to be moved around farms or transported to market. In the earliest days of American agriculture, two-wheel carts …
Kansas State: America’s First Land-Grant University
A Civil War–Era Beginning Kansas State University—initially named Kansas State Agricultural College—was founded on February 16, 1863, in Manhattan, Kansas. Remarkably, its establishment occurred during the American Civil War, a …
Early 19th Century Farming Shaped America’s Economy
In the early decades of the 19th century, the United States was a nation built on agriculture. As Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, no one at …
Ag Hall of Fame: Honoring U.S. Agricultural Pioneers
A Tribute to America’s Agricultural Legacy Across the nation, countless halls of fame celebrate excellence — from sports and music to science and education. Agriculture, the backbone of America’s growth …
Ohio River: A Lifeline of American Agriculture
Introduction The Ohio River has played a crucial role in shaping American agriculture and commerce. Stretching nearly a thousand miles, this historic waterway has been central to trade, transportation, and …