As settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains on their journey west, many expected to continue onward to the vast plains, California, or Oregon. But a significant number stopped well before reaching …
How Iowa State University Began: The 1856 Origins of America’s First Agricultural College
A National Moment in Agricultural Advancement In the mid-1800s, agriculture was the driving force of American life, shaping communities, economies, and national expansion. Recognizing the importance of strengthening agricultural knowledge …
Women Farmers of the Civil War
Women on the Homefront: How the Civil War Transformed American Agriculture A Nation at War and Farms in Transition In the 1860s, as the Civil War pulled countless men into …
How Railroads Transformed American Agriculture in the 1860s
Railroads: The Engine of Agricultural Expansion In the mid-1860s, railroads became one of the most powerful forces driving the expansion of American agriculture. As new lines crisscrossed the nation, they …
Early American Farmers and the Lost Art of Soil Stewardship
A Myth of Responsible Farming Many Americans like to believe that early farmers and ranchers were responsible caretakers of the soil—working the land with the same respect and sustainability that …
Homestead Act and America’s Westward Expansion
Reaching the Mississippi: The Edge of the Frontier By 1813, America’s western frontier stretched to the Mississippi River, marking a major milestone in the nation’s expansion. At its heart stood …
Ethnic Roots of Early American Agriculture
How Immigrant Traditions Shaped Farming in the New World Early American agriculture was built on the diverse cultural foundations of immigrants who brought their own skills, traditions, and values to …
How Early Farmers Learned to Protect Their Soil
The Dawn of Soil Conservation in Early American Farming In the early years of American settlement, the nation’s farmers often took the vastness of the land for granted. As Mark …
Pioneering the Midwest: How Settlers Turned Iowa’s Prairies into Farmland
The Great Migration West By the 1850s, America’s westward expansion had surged into a defining movement. Families from the eastern states packed their wagons and made the long journey toward …
Post–Civil War Wheat Crash: How Farmers Turned to Corn and Livestock
The Civil War’s Wheat Boom During the Civil War, wheat became one of the most valuable crops in the United States. With soldiers and civilians alike needing bread and other …
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 …
How Ralston Purina Revolutionized American Agriculture
Agricultural Expansion and Innovation As America moved into the late 19th century, farming continued to evolve beyond the grain fields that once defined early agriculture. By the 1880s and 1890s, …
How Immigrant Farmers Shaped Early American Agriculture
Ethnic Traditions and the Roots of American Farming In the early days of the United States, immigrant farmers played a defining role in shaping American agriculture. As Mark Oppold explains …
Oregon Trail: How It Shaped American Agriculture
A Defining Route in Agricultural History The Oregon Trail remains one of the most significant routes in American history, playing a vital role in the nation’s agricultural development. Stretching 2,170 …