Early Colonial Agriculture and Trade
Before 1720, most colonists in the mid-Atlantic region lived through small-scale farming operations that provided both sustenance and a modest income. These family farms were the foundation of early American agriculture, producing enough to feed local communities and export surpluses.
To pay for imported manufactured goods from Europe, mid-Atlantic farmers supplied the West Indies with essential commodities like corn and flour. This trade helped balance the colonial economy and created early commercial links between the American colonies and international markets.
In New York, an entirely different form of trade was adding wealth to the region — the fur-pelt export business. Pelts were sent to Europe, fueling the demand for fine clothing and accessories, and helping to diversify the economy of the northern colonies.
The Rise of Wheat Farming
After 1720, mid-Atlantic farming entered a new era, driven by the growing international demand for wheat. Colonists quickly recognized the crop’s profitability and shifted their focus toward wheat cultivation. Fields expanded, and production methods became more efficient, transforming local farms into key suppliers for global markets.
Wheat soon became the region’s most important cash crop. The combination of fertile soils, a temperate climate, and access to Atlantic ports allowed farmers to meet European demand with increasing success. This transition marked the beginning of a thriving export economy that would continue to shape the region’s agricultural identity for decades.
Population Growth and the Wheat Boom
In the mid-18th century, Europe’s massive population explosion fueled an even greater demand for grain. This demographic surge drove wheat prices up dramatically, benefiting American producers. By 1770, the price of a bushel of wheat had doubled compared to its 1720 value.
This price rise transformed farming in the mid-Atlantic colonies from a subsistence endeavor into a profitable enterprise. Farmers who once traded locally were now directly connected to international markets, helping to build wealth and economic independence in the colonies—just as tensions with Britain were beginning to grow.
As Mark Oppold notes in his American Agriculture History Minute, the mid-Atlantic’s agricultural story before the American Revolution is one of adaptation, opportunity, and global connection. What began as small-scale farming evolved into a cornerstone of early American prosperity, linking the colonies to the wider world through the humble grain that fed millions—wheat.