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Invention of cotton gin
The invention of the cotton gin, a device that separates cotton fibers from the seeds, is typically attributed to Eli Whitney, who was granted the patent in 1794. Yet, others contributed to its making — including a woman, Catherine Greene, and African slaves, two groups that gained little recognition for their input -
George Washington Parke Custis instituted agricultural fair in Arlington, VA
It was noted at the time that Arlington's fair was the only event of this type held between Gaithersburg, MD, and Manassas, VA. It was also billed as one of the country's rare “urban fairs” – combining the elements of a traditional county fair in an urban setting. Anticipation for the Fair brewed around this melding of the new and old, as one reporter noted in an August 25, 1977 Washington Post preview: -
Agriculture Committee U.S. Senate,established
Since its creation, the Committee has helped establish, guide, and examine agricultural policies here and abroad. It has had a hand in fashioning the research and teaching of the 1860's, the price and income support controls of the 1930's, and the international trade of the 1990's -
Availability of barbed wire allowed fencing of range land, ending era of unrestricted, open-range grazing
Barbed wire was cheaper, easier, and quicker to use than any of these other alternatives. Without fencing, livestock grazed freely, competing for fodder and water. Where working farms existed, most property was unfenced and open to foraging cattle and sheep -
McCormick reaper patented
Cyrus Hall McCormick invented the mechanical reaper, which combined all the steps that earlier harvesting machines had performed separately. His time-saving invention allowed farmers to more than double their crop size and spurred innovations in farm machinery -
Homestead Act gave free public land to persons willing to farm it
The Homestead Act encouraged western migration by providing settlers with 160 acres of land in exchange for a nominal filing fee. Among its provisions was a five-year requirement of continuous residence before receiving the title to the land and the settlers had to be, or in the process of becoming, U.S. citizens. -
The drive for agricultural education culminated in the passage of the Morrill Land Grant College Act
It granted each state 30,000 acres of western land, to be distributed by each senator and representative, and funded the construction of agricultural and mechanical schools. -
Hatch Experiment Station Act set up Federal-State cooperation in agricultural research
By establishing experiment stations in conjunction with the land-grant universities, the Act provided a con tinued investment in the nation's future, greatly increased the efficiency of American agriculture as the country's leading industry, and established research as a function of the American land-grant university. -
First Federal Meat Inspection Act
The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 (FMIA) was enacted to prevent adulterated or misbranded meat and meat products from being sold as food and to ensure that meat and meat products are slaughtered and processed under sanitary conditions. -
Reclamation Act facilitated irrigation
The Reclamation Act irrigated the west through a series of dams on waterways, and is considered second in significance only to the Homestead Act of 1862. While the Homestead Act allowed farmers to claim land for agriculture, the Reclamation Act allowed them access to irrigation. -
Food and Drug Act, a landmark in food safety
The general purposes of U.S. food law are to minimize the risk of unsafe food (it is too costly to assure that food is safe) and that consumers have the information needed to make an informed decision. -
President Roosevelt’s Country Life Commission was established and focused attention on rural problems
This group attempted to institute successful urban social reforms in rural areas. These reforms were partially designed to improve the efficiency of American agriculture; the reformers feared that a degenerate rural population would not provide sufficient food for urbanites.