Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Soil”
American Agriculture History Minute Explores the South’s Early Farming Economy Agriculture in the American South developed differently from farming in the Midwest and New England, shaped by differences in land ownership, crop production and the growing demand for agricultural exports in Europe. In this installment of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold examines how southern farmers produced food and …
Early American farmers helped expand agriculture across the United States, but the history of westward settlement also reveals a pattern of land use that often depleted the soil rather than preserving its long-term productivity. In this edition of American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold examines how pioneers moving westward from the 1770s through the 1830s frequently relied on the natural …
Early Settlers Overlooked the Importance of Soil Conservation In the early years of American agriculture, settlers often gave little thought to conserving and maintaining the fertility of their soil. As Mark Oppold explains in the American Agriculture History Minute, many early farmers believed that land was plentiful and that additional acreage would always be available as new farming opportunities emerged …
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Roger McEowen, professor of agricultural law and taxation at Washburn University. Professor McEowen discussed his upcoming ag law talk. Here is what he had to say. “I’ll be in Guntersville, Alabama, Wednesday morning, the 19th of August, talking about residual soil fertility. This is a two-hour seminar for firms that do …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $65 Million in funding for new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to incentivize natural resource conservation for private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Conservation Innovation Grants is supported through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which increased funding for farm bill conservation programs. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act increases the …
Agriculture in the American South Agriculture in the southern United States developed quite differently from that in the Midwest or New England. While northern regions focused on diversified farming, smaller plots, and self-sustaining communities, the South evolved around a plantation-based system that defined its economy, society, and land use for generations. Land Ownership and Social Divides In the southern states, …
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 define modern agriculture. Today’s producers take pride in soil conservation practices, using science-based management to maintain soil fertility for generations to come. But historical evidence tells a different story. The …
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 Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, early settlers “tended to be careless with the use and care of their soil.” With the seemingly endless frontier before them, many …
Farmers are constantly looking for innovative ways to improve soil health and maximize crop yields year after year. A new product from Chonex, called Strong Soil, is aiming to do just that—by restoring and enhancing soil biology through a natural, manure-derived approach. We spoke with Michael Lynch with Chonex to learn more about the benefits of Strong Soil and how …
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 …
