History of Ag.pptx

History of Agriculture Early Agriculture Origins Mythologies of all civilization showcased agriculture in different ways but always depicted agriculture with civilization (settled life, household arts, formal religion, and government by laws), but also showed that agriculture brought deat...

History of Agriculture Early Agriculture Origins Mythologies of all civilization showcased agriculture in different ways but always depicted agriculture with civilization (settled life, household arts, formal religion, and government by laws), but also showed that agriculture brought death and that their gods (depending on the region) demanded sacrifice in exchange for rain and abundant harvests Before “Farming” Before farming was invented, humans practiced hunting, fishing and gathering ○ They foraged for their food by moving with the animals they hunted and then gathering whatever fruit, nuts, and vegetables were in their current region ○ Lived a nomadic lifestyle, never set down roots and constantly moved based on migration patterns of their prey Settling Down Humans found that they could domesticate their food animals and keep them in controlled environments ○ They built fences to contain the animals ○ They built houses and other buildings, building communities for new settlers - allowed for a settled lifestyle ○ Native Americans were the first to begin crop agriculture by planting their own food ○ Domesticated products became a form of currency and started basic economic practices; as they could trade their surplus for things they did not grow ○ Agriculture was born Early American Agriculture Rice and Corn was the first domesticated plant Dogs used for hunting were the first domesticated animal About 7500 BCE Chinese farmers were cultivating rice Around 7000 BC Native Americans began simple farming 5,000 years ago Mesoamericans domesticated maize (what would be later known as corn) from a grass plant By AB 1000 maize was being grown throughout most of North America At least 1,000 years ago, Hawaiians practiced aquaculture (fish farming) Native Americans Agriculture Native Americans would clear fields for the production of maize, beans, squash, and other crops Hunting and gathering was used for many of their food, clothing, and shelter needs Trial and Error enabled innovation ○ Fire was an early tool used by native americans after a wildfire caused berry-producing plants to grow quickly Native Americans Agriculture They would clear the field for growing crops They farmed the field until yields dropped off Then they moved to another area, allowing for the soil to recover fertility ○ First example of crop rotation European Arrival When the Europeans arrived, they found abandoned fields on the Eastern Seaboard ○ This gave them a foothold to grow the agricultural products they brought over ○ BUT their crops did very poorly European Arrival The Europeans had to adopt many of the agricultural practices made by the Native Americans ○ They called maize “corn” (which was their term for cereal grains back in Europe) ○ Colonists brought domesticated livestock with them to the very early settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts ○ Relied on Europe for seed, livestock and tools ○ Relied on Native Americans for growing/raising methods European Freedom in America Started to become innovative in farming methods and invented new tools to pull away from Europe Did not efficiently use the land ○ After all, they finally had the privilege to own their own land and make their own profit on their own land Not something they could do in Europe Had no experience German immigrant farmers in Pennsylvania were the only farmers to practice crop rotation, and used animal manure as fertilizer Early Agriculture Farming changed very little for nearly a hundred years ○ Farmers used hand-held and animal-powered tools like plows, harrows, spades, hoes, sickles, forks, and axes (after all they had to fix their own implements) Technology began to be introduced nearly 100 years after the Native Americans showed the Europeans how to farm in America to make agriculture production more efficient Timeline of American Ag 5500 BCE - Mesopotamia farmers developed simple irrigation systems 1493 - Columbus brought livestock to the West Indies 1519 - Cortez brought cattle and sheep to Mexico 1539 - DeSoto brought horses and hogs to Flordia Pre-1607 - Native Americans farmed land they cleared, and when yields dropped they cleared another field to move to 1607 - Native Americans show the Colonists how to grow crops in the US ○ Corn, pumpkins, squash, and beans were primary Timeline of American Ag 1641 - William Pynchon, Massachusetts was the first meat packer exporting salt pork Mid to Late 1700s - 90% of the population farmed Late 1700s - Thomas Jefferson was a leading spokesperson on an agrarianism society (one based on agriculture and small, self-sufficient farmers) ○ Cheap, available farmland kept this belief alive 1760 - Robert Bakewell, England, began breeding animals for a purpose, created different types Timeline of American Ag 1765-1791 - American Revolution ○ Some profited from the war ○ Many farmers were forced to feed hungry troops from both sides of the war 1785-1811 - societies were formed to promote agricultural experimentation in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia 1785 - Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture and other agricultural groups organized Timeline of American Ag 1785 - The Land Ordinance of 1785 was established to provide a system for the survey and sale of the public land ○ Land was sold in 640-acre parcels at $1 an acre 1785 - Maryland legislation approved a road construction program 1791 - first threshing machine was patented ○ Separates grain from stalks and husks ○ Not popular until the 1820s Timeline of American Ag 1793 - Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in Georgia ○ Made it much easier to remove seeds from the green seed cotton ○ Enabled one worker to remove seeds from 50 pounds of cotton a day rather than the previous 1 pound 1797 - Charles Newbold replaced wooden parts with single molded iron parts on the plow ○ Made it easier to break through tough ground Timeline of American Ag 1803 - Louisiana Purchase ○ Thomas Jefferson send James Monroe to France to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans to open the port to US farmers ○ France sold all of the Louisiana region, doubling the size of the US ○ Opened the New Orleans port to US farmers permanently Timeline of American Ag 1811 - Berkshire Agricultural Society of Massachusetts held what is thought to be the first county fair in the US ○ Farmers displayed produce, livestock, and homemade products ○ They also demonstrated new farming techniques Mid-1800s government leaders began to establish programs to encourage agriculture 1825 - Congress set up a special committee on agriculture 1830s - John & Hiram Pitts introduced a horse-powered thresher ○ Shortened the process of separating grain and seef Timeline of American Ag 1834 - Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper ○ Modernized the grain-cutting process 1837 - John Deere’s steel plow was introduced ○ Used less horsepower to work tough prairie soil 1840 - Factory-made agricultural machinery increased in demand 1850 - Joseph Glidden developed barbed wire for use by cattle ranchers 1852 - US patent office began accepting agriculture research Timeline of American Ag 1861-1865 - Civil War causes changes ○ Railroads decreased need for horses and mules and for livestock to be produced where they are consumed ○ Refrigeration box cars allowed for shipping of carcasses Now animals can be raised in one place, sold at another, and consumed in a 3rd place ○ Change in tastes - beef becomes more popular Pork was most common before the war Timeline of American Ag 1862 - The Morrill Act created land-grant colleges in each state to teach agricultural advancements 1862 - USDA was established 1862 - Homestead Act made 160 acres of public domain land available to every American citizen who was the head of a family or over 21 years old 1866 - Gregor Mendel’s studies in heredity in pea plants was published ○ Paved the way for improving crops through genetics 1869 - Transcontinental railroad was completed Timeline of American Ag 1887 - Hatch Act appropriated money for experiment stations in connection with various agriculture colleges ○ Conducted investigations and experiments in all fields of agriculture. 1890 - First Federal Meat Inspection Act 1901 - first successful gasoline-engine tractor was built 1906 - Food and Drug Act was passed ○ Landmark in food safety 1914 - Smith-Lever Agricultural Extension Act established a link between the state land-grant colleges and farmers Timeline of American Ag 1917 - Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act provided federal aid to schools for vocational agricultural education ○ Led to FFA 1920 - The American Farm Bureau Federation was formed ○ Goal of educating members and commercial and political activities on behalf of agriculture Timeline of American Ag 1932-36 Drought & Dust-Bowl conditions ○ 1933 - Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) initiated crop and marketing controls ○ 1936 - Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act linked farm programs with conservation ○ 1936 - Rural Electrification Act (REA) greatly improved quality of rural life Timeline of American Ag 1945-1970 - Revolution in agricultural technology brought greatly increased yields and more specialized, capital-intensive farms 1947 - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established working procedures that substantially reduced tariffs between member nations ○ Readopted in 1994 ○ North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) replaced it in 1994 ○ United States, Canada, Mexico Agreement (USCMA) passed in 2018 replacing NAFTA Timeline of American Ag 1954 - Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act facilitated agricultural exports and foreign aid 1970 - Environmental Quality Improvement Act 1980s - Biotechnology became a viable technique for improving crop and livestock products Why does the US excel in Ag? The US had many agricultural benefits ○ Land Resources: large plots of fertile soil that differed in soil types ○ Climates: diverse ○ Transportation: system of travel established (roads, railroads, airports, seaports) ○ Economy/Market: strong with a government that allows for capitalism and a fair market ○ Inventions & Technology: many advances and innovations All of this allows for a variety of crops to be produced, bought and sold, and a high production with fewer inputs Early Agriculture In the mid-1700s about 90% of Americans farmed ○ Everyone must eat, there was no transportation, refrigeration, or manufactured foods with long shelf lives ○ Produced enough to feed their families Early 1900s - average farmer in the US produced enough food to feed a family of five Today, less than 2% of Americans are engaged in production agriculture Today - many can feed that family and then 100 other people ○ Americans spends about 9% of their salary on food! Average American Eats A Total of 1,996 lbs of food a year (approximately one ton) ○ 630 pounds of dairy products ○ 415 pounds of vegetables ○ 273 pounds of fruit ○ 197 pounds of grain products ○ 185 pounds of meat and poultry products ○ 141 pounds of sweeteners ○ 85 pounds of fats (equals about 340 sticks of butter!) ○ 53 pounds of sodas Consume an average of 2,700 calories a day (700 above recommended)