History of American Agriculture

Pre-Revolution First English settlement at Jamestown, VA1607- First English settlement at Jamestown, VA First African slaves brought to colonies1619- First African slaves brought to colonies Slaves completely replace southern indentured servants1700- Slaves completely replace southern indentured servants Throughout the 18 th century large numbers of European immigrants travel to the colonies to settle on farmsteads. These include:Throughout the 18 th century large numbers of European immigrants travel to the colonies to settle on farmsteads. These include: DutchDutch GermanGerman SwedishSwedish Scotch-IrishScotch-Irish

Post Revolution By % of labor force are farmers/ranchersBy % of labor force are farmers/ranchers Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin - contributed to the success of cotton in the South as a cash crop1793- Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin - contributed to the success of cotton in the South as a cash crop Public Land Act : Federal lands sold to the public in minimum 640 acre plots at $2.00/acre1796- Public Land Act : Federal lands sold to the public in minimum 640 acre plots at $2.00/acre

Post revolution George Washington and the US Congress create the National Board of Agriculture later becoming the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)1799- George Washington and the US Congress create the National Board of Agriculture later becoming the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

19 th Century The United States drastically increases land ownership by foreign relations:The United States drastically increases land ownership by foreign relations: Louisiana Purchase from France1803- Louisiana Purchase from France Florida is acquired through a treaty with Spain1819- Florida is acquired through a treaty with Spain The Cyrus McCormick reaper patented in This was the beginning of the International Harvester company which was later established in 1902.The Cyrus McCormick reaper patented in This was the beginning of the International Harvester company which was later established in 1902.

19 th century John Deere begins manufacturing the steel plow in 1937.John Deere begins manufacturing the steel plow in American Civil War was fought American Civil War was fought 1862 The Morrill Land Grant College Act is established- This gave land to states to build Colleges on the foundation of agricultural education1862 The Morrill Land Grant College Act is established- This gave land to states to build Colleges on the foundation of agricultural education Illinois State University was to be the land grant in Illinois but was later established at the University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIllinois State University was to be the land grant in Illinois but was later established at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

End of the 19 th century a Second Morrill Act was established for funding of African American land grant colleges1890- a Second Morrill Act was established for funding of African American land grant colleges The first gasoline tractor was built in 1892 by John Froelich. The Waterloo brand tractor was later bought out by John Deere.The first gasoline tractor was built in 1892 by John Froelich. The Waterloo brand tractor was later bought out by John Deere.

20 th century The Pure Food and Drug Act inspired by The Jungle by Upton Sinclair paved the way for the Food and Drug Administration. This act was to make sure food labels were on all products and businesses stayed true to the label The Pure Food and Drug Act inspired by The Jungle by Upton Sinclair paved the way for the Food and Drug Administration. This act was to make sure food labels were on all products and businesses stayed true to the label the Ford Model T paves the way for mass production of automobiles using assembly lines the Ford Model T paves the way for mass production of automobiles using assembly lines.

20 th century Smith Lever Extension Act1914- Smith Lever Extension Act Established Extension programs to help educate farmers on agricultural advancementsEstablished Extension programs to help educate farmers on agricultural advancements Smith-Hughes Vocational Educational Act1917- Smith-Hughes Vocational Educational Act Established high school vocational education programsEstablished high school vocational education programs

20 th Century World War I World War I The American Farm Bureau was organized in Chicago, Illinois1919- The American Farm Bureau was organized in Chicago, Illinois

20 th Century Great Depression Great Depression The stock market crashedThe stock market crashed International trade droppedInternational trade dropped Unemployment roseUnemployment rose Crop prices dropped 60%Crop prices dropped 60% The Dust Bowl The Dust Bowl Severe droughtSevere drought Poor soil practicesPoor soil practices Lack of vegetationLack of vegetation

20 th century World War II World War II Many southern sharecroppers move north to fill empty factory positions for the war efforts.Many southern sharecroppers move north to fill empty factory positions for the war efforts Land-grant colleges see an increase due to veterans enrolling under the G.I. Bill Land-grant colleges see an increase due to veterans enrolling under the G.I. Bill

20 th century Tractors outnumber horses and mules on the farm for the first time1954- Tractors outnumber horses and mules on the farm for the first time The Humane Slaughter Act is enacted1958- The Humane Slaughter Act is enacted Law passed to decrease suffering of livestock during the slaughter processLaw passed to decrease suffering of livestock during the slaughter process Specifically for cattle, horses, sheep, and swineSpecifically for cattle, horses, sheep, and swine

20 th century 1962 Silent Spring by Rachel Carson becomes best seller 1962 Silent Spring by Rachel Carson becomes best seller Book warned of pesticide usage such as DDT and how it would effect wildlifeBook warned of pesticide usage such as DDT and how it would effect wildlife Earth Day is celebrated for the first time in 1970 Throughout the 1980s biotechnology becomes important to crop and livestock production

Wake of the 21 st century Satellite technology becomes available to farmers for use in precision farming Satellite technology becomes available to farmers for use in precision farming The first weed/insect resistant biotech crops are available commercially The first weed/insect resistant biotech crops are available commercially the USDA unveils organic standards and the official organic product seal the USDA unveils organic standards and the official organic product seal