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, …
Early American Farmers and the Lost Art of Soil Stewardship
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 …
How Early Farmers Learned to Protect Their Soil
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 …
Re-evaluating Your Soil Fertility Plans
While some crops have already been planted, there is seed still going into the ground. And in order for those seeds to grow a healthy crop, they need good soil fertility. And according to Monsanto agronomist, Greg Ferguson, it’s important for growers to re-evaluate their soil fertility plans. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture …



