Native American

Native American Agriculture: Roots of U.S. Farming

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, Field Crops, This Land of Ours

Rethinking the “Pristine Wilderness” Myth When Europeans first arrived in the New World, many believed they had discovered untouched wilderness—vast forests, endless plains, and fertile river valleys waiting to be cultivated. But this perception was far from the truth. Long before European settlement, Native American communities had already been shaping, managing, and cultivating the land through advanced agricultural practices. Far …

Philadelphia Society

Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture: America’s First Farm Organization

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, Soil, This Land of Ours

Agriculture’s Early Roots in America Agriculture has always been at the heart of America’s growth. Long before tractors, hybrid seeds, or modern irrigation systems, farmers and thinkers were searching for ways to improve yields, preserve soil, and secure the nation’s food supply. While many farm organizations thrive today, the very first to formally promote agriculture in the United States was …

Henry A. Wallace

Henry A. Wallace: Innovator, Journalist, and Statesman

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

A Pioneer in Agriculture Henry A. Wallace is widely celebrated as the father of hybrid seed corn and the founder of the Pioneer Hybrid Seed Company. His groundbreaking work in developing hybrid corn transformed American agriculture, significantly increasing crop yields and shaping modern farming practices. Wallace’s contributions to agriculture were both scientific and entrepreneurial, establishing him as a pivotal figure …

John W. Tyson

John W. Tyson: Missouri Farmer Builds Poultry Legacy

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Poultry, This Land of Ours

Seizing Opportunity During the Great Depression The Great Depression challenged countless rural American families, yet it also offered opportunities for those in the right place at the right time. In southern Missouri, a young farmer—John W. Tyson—recognized a chance to deliver chickens to larger metropolitan markets across the Midwest. While many struggled to survive, this early venture gave him practical …

Henry A. Wallace

Henry A. Wallace: Father of Hybrid Corn

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Corn, This Land of Ours

A Young Innovator in Iowa In 1904, a 16-year-old high school student in Iowa began experimenting with corn in the hopes of boosting crop yields. That student, Henry A. Wallace, was already demonstrating the vision and curiosity that would later shape American agriculture. Even while pursuing his education at Iowa State University, Wallace continued to study and refine his methods …

forest management

The Roots of U.S. Forest Management

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Forestry, This Land of Ours

Early Recognition of Forest Stewardship Even as America’s early settlers were clearing land to establish homesteads and plant crops, the government recognized the importance of protecting and managing the nation’s forests. By the mid-19th century, concerns about forest conditions and sustainability began to take shape in national policy. Establishing Federal Oversight In 1876, Congress created an office within the U.S. …

USDA Extension Service

USDA Extension Service: A Legacy of Education and Support

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours, USDA

The Roots of Agricultural Support The Department of Agriculture was first established in 1862, but it would take more than 50 years before one of its most impactful programs came to life. With the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, the USDA Extension Service was officially created. This initiative formed a partnership between the USDA and land-grant universities to …

farm conservation data

Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, Education, This Land of Ours

Farm Families and the Birth of Agricultural Policy As farm families moved westward and settled across the American heartland, they were unknowingly shaping the foundation of U.S. agriculture. Their struggles, innovations, and resilience created a living history that would later influence government officials tasked with developing agricultural policy. Recognizing the importance of this legacy, a few forward-thinking scholars insisted that …

horsepower

Horsepower to Tractor Power: A Turning Point in American Agriculture

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

The Shift That Changed Farming Forever I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The story of American farming is filled with innovation, but one of the most transformative shifts was the move from horsepower to tractor power. While today it seems natural to see tractors in every field, the transition was anything but quick or simple. Why Farmers …

angus bulls

Angus Bulls Introduced to America

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Cattle, This Land of Ours

A Visionary in American Agriculture In 1873, George Grant brought four Angus bulls from Scotland to Victoria, Kansas. His goal was ambitious—introduce this new cattle breed to American cattlemen and improve beef production in the United States. Although Grant passed away just five years later, the legacy of his vision lived on through the Angus cattle he imported. Early Challenges …