Farming the Plains Chapter 4 Section 2

The Beginnings of Settlement Main Idea: Settlers staked out homesteads and began farming the region

The Great Plains were transformed into America’s wheat belt. Major Stephen Long- explored the region with an army expedition in 1819, called it the “Great American Desert.” Stated it was more like an obstacle

Railroads contributed to the settlements of the region “Rain follows the plow” The Homestead Act- 1862 Govt encouraged settlement of Great Plains; $10 for up to 160 acres of land & receive title of land after 5 yrs

Challenges: Temperatures over 100 degrees, prairie fires, swarms of grasshoppers, terrible winters

The Wheat Belt Main Idea: As a result of the new farming methods and machinery, settlers on the Great Plains were able to produce large amounts of wheat.

Dry Farming- approach where one planted seeds deep in the ground, where there was enough moisture for them to grow By 1860s- plows, seed drills, reapers, and threshing machines

Wheat Belt- began at the eastern edge of the Great Plains and encompassed much of the Dakotas and parts of Nebraska and Kansas Bonanza farms- yielded big profits

Bonanza farmhands during busy season

April 22 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush