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Seed Drill
The seed drill was first invented by Jethro Tull in 1701. This machine planted seeds at regular intervals but also planted them at the right depth and covered them with earth. Because the seed drill planted seeds in straight lines, a mechanical horse-drawn hoe, which Tull also invented, could be used to remove weeds from between the lines of crop plants. This invention greatly benefitted the economy and farmers as it minimized the need for time consuming practices such as walking up and down the -
Cotton-Gin
The cotton gin is a machine that separates seeds, hulls and other unwanted materials from cotton after it has been picked. Eli Whitney first invented the cotton gin in 1794. This invention certainly helped the economy as it reduced the time consuming task of separating the cotton balls from other unwanted aspects of the plant such as seeds. Therefore, allowing farmers to get their job done faster and easier. -
Iron Plow
Charles Newbold patents first cast-iron plow in 1797 -
Crop Rotation
In order to avoid a decrease in soil fertility farmers practice crop rotation. A three-year crop rotation was practiced by farmers in Europe, rotating rye or winter wheat in year one, followed by spring oats or barley in the second year, and by a third year of no crops. Practicing crop rotation benefitted the environment greatly as nutrients and minerals of the soil were not depleted. As well as by keeping the soil fertile it benefitted the farmers as they were able to get good crop. -
Steel Plow
John Deere designed the first cast steel plow that greatly assisted the Great Plains farmers. The large plows made for cutting the tough prairie ground were called "grasshopper plows." These plows were made of wrought iron and had a steel share that could cut through sticky soil without clogging. This greatly benefitted the economy as it made it more convenient and faster for farmers to plow their fields. -
Grain Elevator
The first grain elevator was built by Joseph Dart in Buffalo, New York. As more and more grain was transported around the U.S. a more efficient method for loading and unloading ships was needed. Dart's invention consisted of a wooden structure to house the grain and buckets attached to a steam-driven belt. They called the building an "elevator" because the belt with buckets moved the grain up. This invention made it easier to transport grain products making it beneficial for trading and the econ -
Farm Tractors
The first engine-powered farm tractors used steam and were introduced in 1868. These tractors definitely had negative environmental impacts as they were powered by the burning of fossil fuels, however they made farming much more efficient and easier. -
Drought and Dust Bowl
During the 1930’s a severe drought and dust storm covered the entire Plains for nearly a decade, having particularly major impacts on agriculture as hundreds of crops and farm lands were destroyed. Similarly, the economy suffered negatively as food shortages and food prices started to rise and after this devastating incident both the environment and human health suffered greatly. -
Cover Crops Method
Many sustainable agricultural techniques were adopted in the 1980’s such as the cover crops method, where farmers grow plants known as cover crops to protect and build their soil during the off-season, or for livestock grazing or forage. Commonly planted cover crops include hairy vetch, annual ryegrass, and crimson clover. This practice could help solve many environmental and health problems associated with bare soil. And because cover crops add organic matter to the soil, they can help farmers -
Genetically Modified Crops (GMO)
Genetically modified crops are plants where their DNA has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. In most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species. Some examples include, making crops more suitable for surviving harsher climates. The safety of GMO foods is unproven and research connects these foods with health concerns and environmental damage.