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Exports 1800 1850
1800-1809 Ag exports $23 million 75% of total exports
1810-1819 Ag exports $40 million 87% of total exports
1820-1829 Ag exports $42 million 65% of total exports
1830-1839 Ag exports $74 million 73% of total exports
1840-1849 Ag exports $90 million 65% of total exports
1850-1859 Ag exports $189 million 81% of total exports -
Great Plains 1800
In the 1800 settlers began moving out west to the Great Plains,also known as The Bread Basket.The Great Plains has some of the best farmland in the nation.Average size of the farm is 150 acres.The land is rich and favorable climate. -
Science and Technology for expansion
The westward expansion of the railroads to the pacific was very important to the growth of agriculture.Farmers in the west cold sell whatever they wanted with the railroad. -
1860-1920
U.S. population 31 million farm population 15 million-1860's
U.S. population 38 million farm population 18 million-1870's
U.S. population 50 million farm population 22 million-1880's
U.S. population 62 million farm population 29 million-1890's -
Civil War 1860
1860 farmer made up 58% of Labor force.Over a million farmers left their fields to fight in the war. -
USDA 1862
President Abraham Lincoln signed an act of congress into law establishing at the seat of government of the United States a department of Agriculture. -
Grasshopper Commission
In 1873-77 grasshoppers invaded the western states.Destruction of crops was so bad many families went into starvation. -
The Hatch Act
The Hatch Act put into place in 1887 authorized grants to fund agricultural experiment stations.These stations were made to conduct agricultural research and distribute knowledge to farmers. -
Entomology
The first entomologist was Towned Glover.Glover was convinced by Commissioner Newton to start a museum with his extensive collection of insects and foods.In August 1, 1864 the museum was established. -
New Wheat Varieties
The Department of Ag. has been researching new plants and animals in order to increase variety of food supply of our nation.By the 1898 experts where predicting food shortages and famine.The Department of Ag explored Russia and brought back different types of wheat. -
Boll Weevil
The Boll weevil destroyed cotton crops.So to not go into famine farmers planted different crops,but some farmers still lost there farms. -
Cattle fever
In 1890s a disease in cattle caused a widespread loss.Cattle driven from the north to the south spread during breeding.Many cattle contracted and died.