World History of Agriculture

Part 2- Agriculture in the United States

Objectives

Discuss the importance of the history of agriculture

Analyze the origins of agriculture and the impact on today’s society

Identify the impact that various leaders had on agriculture today.

17th Century

While the European and Middle East where making advancements in agriculture the new world (now the United States) was just beginning to be colonized.

In 1607 the first permanent English settlement was made in Jamestown, Virginia

Most agriculture was subsistence farming (or farming for survival)

In 1619, slaves were imported into Virginia and soon replaced indentured slaves

17th Century

All forms of domesticated livestock are imported

Tobacco is the first important export during this time

Farmers during this time endure a rough life, no real means of travel except by boat and little support form the British

18th Century

During this time the south began to focus on plantation style of farming while the north is mostly small family farms

Travel is still only by boat, animal, or foot

18th Century- Leaders of the Time

At this time, many important people and things began to develop in the United States

1776- The Declaration of Independence results partly from British control on agriculture exports

1786- Shays Rebellion results from a farmers revolt against deflation

18th Century- Leaders of the Time

Eli Whitney He was originally a

blacksmith After graduating from Yale

he was invited to a acquaintances plantation in Georgia

While in Georgia he invented the Cotton Gin, which with its interchangeable parts and quick method of cleaning cotton would revolutionize both the north and south industry

18th Century- Leaders of the Time Charles Newbold

Invented the first cast iron plow in 1797, but the people where afraid to use it at first because they feared it would poison the soil

Thomas Jefferson He had an interest in improving agriculture technology His plow with a moldboard of least resistance is tested in 1794 Notes on the State of Virginia contains one of the finest detailed

descriptions of agriculture in an American State and asserts the virtues of rural life

18th Century- Leaders of the Time

George Washington Besides being the first president of the United

States, Washington also suggested to the Congress that they should start a National Board of Agriculture in 1799

1800’s

1803-Louisiana Purchase 1810-30-Transfer of manufactures from

the farm and home to the shop and factory is greatly accelerated

1815-30-Cotton becomes the most important cash crop in the Old South

1800’s

1820-35-Agriculture begins to demand a place in government

1820-Agriculture Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, established

1825-Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senate established

1830-About 250-300 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (5 acres) of wheat with walking plow, brush harrow, hand broadcast of seed, sickle, and flail

1800’s

1830-Peter Cooper's railroad steam engine, the Tom Thumb, runs 13 miles; beginning of railroad era

1834-McCormick reaper patented; John Lane manufactures plows faced with steel saw blades

1837-John Deere and Leonard Andrus begin manufacturing steel plows; practical threshing machine patented

1825-50-Some schools and colleges begin to offer courses in agriculture and in sciences helpful to agriculture

1800’s During this time developing technology encouraged commercial

farming Telegraph is invented and makes communication practical 1850-About 75-90 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (2 ½

acres) of corn with walking plow, harrow, and hand planting During the 50’s fertilizer is sold commercially, poultry exhibits are

started, mason jars are invented, and miles of railroad are laid

1800’s

1860-79 Homestead act grants land to workers who have been

employed at least five years 1862-The drive for agricultural education culminates in the

passage of the Morrill Land Grant College Act

Sharecropping replaces slavery in south Change from hand power to horse characterizes the

first agriculture revolution in America Creation of barb-wire end free range style of ranching

1800’s

1880-1900 Increases in land under cultivation and number of immigrants

becoming farmers boost agricultural output

40-50 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (5 acres) of wheat with gang plow, seeder, harrow, binder, thresher, wagons, and horses; 35-40 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (2 1/2 acres) of corn with 2-bottom gang plow, disk and peg-tooth harrow, and 2-row planter

The first gasoline tractor was built by John Froelich

1900’s 1900-10-

George Washington Carver of Tuskegee Institute finds new uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans, helping to diversify southern agriculture

First corn club for boys, forerunner of 4-H clubs

Seaman Knapp begins boll-weevil demonstration project, an inspiration for extension education

1900’s

1910-30 Agriculture surplus becomes an issue and

even causes the collapse of prices There are 31,000 students enrolled in

agriculture courses 1928- The Future Farmer of America is

founded

1900’s 1931-40

The Great Depression went from 1929-39 One farmer supplies, on average, 9.8 in the United States and

abroad; 15-20 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (2 1/2 acres) of corn; 15-20 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (5 acres) of wheat with 3-bottom gang plow, tractor, 10-foot tandem disk, harrow, 12-foot combine, and trucks

13% of all farms have electricty

1900’s

1940-99 1939-45- World War II 1940-One Farmer Supplies 10.7 persons

10-14 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (2 acres) of corn

1940-58% of all farms have cars; 25% have phones; 33% have electricity

1960- One farmer supplies 25.8 persons 1980-For the first time since the 19th century, foreigners

(Europeans and Japanese primarily) begin to purchase significant acreages of farmland and ranchland

1900’s

1980- One farmer supplies 75.7 persons

Biotechnology becomes viable for improving crop and livestock products

1986-88-Country singer Willie Nelson organizes first of the Farm Aid concerts to benefit indebted farmers

1900’s

1990-2000 Farmers begin using satellite technology to track and

plan their farming practices The first weed and insect—resistant biotech crops-

soybeans and cotton—are available commercially Farm families make up less than 10

percent of rural population USDA's Community Food Security Initiative aimed at

aiding grass-roots efforts to reduce hunger and improve nutrition

USDA unveils organic standards and official organic seal

Summary

In the beginning the U.S. was started from basically nothing and most of the livestock had to be imported here.

Agriculture was molded by the people and the land overtime to become what it is today

The leaders of the time led to numerous technological advancements such as the combine, plow, land grants and many others

These advancements in turn led to biotechnology in agriculture, industrial revolution, and ag in secondary schools

References

http://www.agclassroom.org/gan/timeline/17_18.htm