Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “American agriculture history”
An American Agriculture History Minute with Mark Oppold Early American farming was never just about the land—it was about the weather. In this American Agriculture History Minute, agricultural historian Mark Oppold explains how climate conditions played a defining role in determining which crops early settlers raised and how regional agriculture developed across the United States. From cooler northern climates to …
Exploring the Debate Over the Biggest Barns in the United States By Mark Oppold – American Agriculture History Minute When it comes to American agriculture, size has always mattered—and few farm structures spark more debate than barns. As Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, identifying the largest barn in the United States depends on how the term …
Agriculture’s Early Push Toward the West As America grew in its earliest decades, farming advanced steadily alongside the movement of settlers. In an American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold explains that agriculture continued its western migration soon after early colonists established themselves. As pioneers crossed the Appalachians and sought new opportunities, they brought farming with them, shaping the agricultural character …
Pioneers Moving West and the Unexpected Settlement of Ohio As early American settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains in search of new opportunities, many expected to continue westward through the Great Plains and eventually reach far-off destinations like California and Oregon. But as Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, a surprising number of these pioneers found their permanent …
The Land-Grant Origins of Ohio State University: How a New College Was Chosen to Lead Ohio’s Future The founding of Ohio State University is a defining chapter in both Ohio’s educational history and the broader story of America’s land-grant movement. Born from the Morrill Act of 1862, the institution began as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College—a school designed to …
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 those destinations. Drawn by fertile soils, abundant water, and promising farmland, early pioneers found their home in what we now know as Ohio. Their arrival—combined with the long-established agricultural practices …
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 and innovation, the Iowa General Assembly made a landmark decision in 1856: it enacted legislation to create the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm. This initiative marked one of the …
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 military service, American agriculture faced a sudden and profound shift. With many men marching off to battle, farms across the country were left in the hands of women, children, and …
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 connected rural farmers to distant cities and ports, turning isolated homesteads into key suppliers for a growing industrial economy. This new transportation network dramatically increased access to markets, reduced costs, …
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 …
