A History of United States Agriculture

Farmers and the Land

Public Land Act

1796

Public Land Act authorizes Federal land sales to the public in minimum 640-acre plots at $2 per acre of credit.

Potato Famine

1845 - 1855

Potato famine in Ireland and the German Revolution of 1848 greatly increase immigration.

Cattle Boom/Range Wars

1866 - 1877

Cattle boom accelerates settlement of Great Plains; range wars develop between farmers and ranchers.

Settlement

1880

Most humid land already settled; heavy agricultural settlement on the Great Plains begins.

Global Warming/Drought

1988

Scientists warn that global warming may affect the future viability of American farming; one of the worst droughts in the Nation's history hits Midwestern farmers.

Farm Economy

Shay's Rebellion

1786

Shay's Rebellion, a farmers' revolt against deflation

Strong South

1850 - 1861

The South, with its primarily agricultural economy, is politically strong.

Vertical Integration

1869

Louis McMurray contracts with farmers near Frederick, MD for vegetables to be canned in his factory, the beginning of vertical integration.

Depression

1932

Farm prices and income reach Depression bottom.

Net Farm Income

1996

Net farm income reaches a record $54.9 billion.

Government Programs and Policy

National Board of Agriculture

1799

George Washington suggests to Congress the establishment of a National Board of Agriculture.

H.O.R Establishes A.C.

1820

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

U.S.C Establishes A.C.

1825

Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senate established

Cabinet Status

1889

Department of Agriculture raised to Cabinet status.

Role Growth

1900 - 1917

Federal Government's role in agriculture grows with passage of farm legislation.

Farm Organizations and Movements

Whiskey Rebellion

1794

Whiskey Rebellion, a farmers' revolt against taxes on grain in whiskey.

Cooperative

1850 - 1859

Farmers begin cooperative to make cheese and to market wool and tobacco.

Agricultural Societies

1860

941 agricultural societies in the United States.

Farmers' Holiday

1923 - 1932

Farmers' Holiday movement stages strikes and blocks farm sales.

Earth Day

1970

Earth Day is celebrated for the first time.

Crops and Livestock

Cotton

1805 - 1815

Cotton begins to replace tobacco as the chief southern cash crop.

Competition

1815 - 1820

Competition with western farm areas begins to force New England farmers out of wheat and meat production and into dairying, trucking, and later, tobacco production.

Seed Collection

1819

Secretary of Treasury instructs consuls to collect seeds, plants, and agricultural inventions.

Hybrid Seeds Begin

1926

First hybrid-seed corn company organized.

96% Hybrid Seed

1960

96% of corn acreage planted with hybrid seed.