Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “This Land of Ours”
The Midwest’s Industrial Shift After the Civil War Between the end of the Civil War and the conclusion of World War II, the American Midwest experienced one of the most significant economic transitions in its history. What had long been a primarily rural, farm-based economy evolved into a powerful industrial agricultural system. Rapid industrialization reshaped the region. Infrastructure expanded, cities …
American agriculture is filled with innovators whose influence extended far beyond the fields. One such figure is Robert Thomas, a man whose love of writing and fascination with the stars combined to create one of the most enduring publications in rural America: the Farmer’s Almanac. Early Life Near Boston Robert Thomas was born in 1766 near Boston. From an early …
The River City That Shaped American Agriculture “I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute…” The importance of St. Louis when looking at the history of American agriculture cannot be overstated. In the mid-19th century, as the nation expanded westward and farm production increased, St. Louis stood at the center of America’s agricultural transformation. Long before railroads dominated transportation, …
Missouri’s agricultural story runs deep, tracing back to the late 1700s and early 1800s when fertile land and river access laid the groundwork for a thriving farm economy. In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights how geography, migration, and commerce shaped Missouri’s early agricultural identity. Agriculture in Late 18th and Early 19th Century Missouri During …
When most Americans think of the longest river in the United States, they immediately name the Mississippi. But that distinction actually belongs to the Missouri River — a powerful and historic waterway that has played a significant role in American agriculture. The True Longest River in the United States The Missouri River rises in the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Montana. …
From 1855 to 1900, the state of Michigan experienced a remarkable period of growth and transformation. Natural resource discoveries, infrastructure development, and industrial innovation reshaped the state’s economy and positioned Michigan as a national leader in both agriculture and manufacturing. Mining Discoveries Spark Economic Growth The mid-to-late 19th century marked a turning point for Michigan, particularly in the Upper Peninsula. …
A Lasting Figure in U.S. Agricultural History Luther Burbank holds a respected place in American agriculture history for his extraordinary contributions to plant development and crop improvement. As highlighted by Mark Oppold in an American Agriculture History Minute, Burbank’s work reshaped farming and horticulture in the United States, leaving a legacy that continues to influence agriculture today. From Limited Schooling …
Mark Oppold with An American Agriculture History Minute highlights a surprising and influential chapter in U.S. agricultural and marketing history—one that connects food production, consumer tastes, and one of the most recognizable mascots in America. Leo Burnett’s Early Career in Agriculture Leo Burnett, who would later become one of the most influential figures in advertising history, began his career working …
Labor, Land, and Innovation: How 19th-Century Farming Became More Efficient American agriculture in the 19th century underwent a profound transformation as new tools and techniques reshaped how crops were planted, cultivated, and harvested. A comparison of corn and wheat production between 1850 and 1890 reveals how early mechanization dramatically reduced labor demands while maintaining similar land requirements. These changes laid …
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute, and the history of the state of Michigan is an interesting one. Long before Michigan became a state, its land passed through several stages of territorial governance that shaped its political, economic, and agricultural future. Michigan After the Revolutionary War Following the defeat of the British in the Revolutionary War, the …
