1. World History of Agriculture
Part 2- Agriculture in the United States

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 1800’s 1803-Louisiana Purchase
Transfer of manufactures from the farm and home to the shop and factory is greatly accelerated
Cotton becomes the most important cash crop in the Old South

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

12. 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
Some schools and colleges begin to offer courses in agriculture and in sciences helpful to agriculture

13. 1800’s
During this time developing technology encouraged commercial farming
Telegraph is invented and makes communication practical
1850-About 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

14. 1800’s
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

15. 1800’s
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; 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

16. 1900’s
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

17. 1900’s
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

18. 1900’s 1931-40 The Great Depression went from 1929-39
One farmer supplies, on average, 9.8 in the United States and abroad; labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (2 1/2 acres) of corn; 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

19. 1900’s
World War II
1940-One Farmer Supplies 10.7 persons
10-14 labor-hours required to produce 100 bushels (2 acres) of corn
% 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

20. 1900’s 1980- One farmer supplies 75.7 persons
Biotechnology becomes viable for improving crop and livestock products
Country singer Willie Nelson organizes first of the Farm Aid concerts to benefit indebted farmers

21. 1900’s
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

22. 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

23. References