History of Agriculture

  • Farms growing in size

    Farms started to grow in size to meet the demand for more food starting in 1952.
  • Center Pivot irrigation systems

    Center pivot irrigation systems started going on the market in 1953; a revolutionary invention for farmers all across the United States.
  • Food Peace Act- 1954

    it aimed to dispose of surplus U.S. agricultural commodities, promote international goodwill, and support foreign policy by providing food aid to friendly nations in need.
  • Tractors over Horses

    Tractors became more popular than horsepower starting in 1954
  • The Agricultural Act of 1954

    The Agricultural Act of 1954 was a U.S. federal law that authorized the use of agricultural commodities to improve U.S. foreign relations and established a reserve for foreign and domestic relief, creating the foundation for the Food for Peace program.
  • Chemical fertilizers

    Chemical fertilizers became more commonly used in 1955
  • The Soil Bank program of 1956

    The Soil Bank program paid farmers to reduce surplus crop production and conserve land.
  • Drought impacted the US 1958-1959

    Droughts impacted the Eastern United States in 1958-1959
  • Food and Agriculture Act

    This Act provided funding and authority for various programs related to agriculture and nutrition.
  • Girls in FFA

    Girls are allowed to join the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization
  • Farm Bill

    Farm bill came when looking at subsidies for farmers.
  • Farming and the Workforce

    Farmers made up only 4.9 percent of the American workforce in the early 1970s
  • Earl Butz

    Earl Butz became the secretary of Agriculture
  • Disastrous Harvests

    The Soviet Union suffering disastrous harvests purchased 30 million tons of American grain
  • The Ag. and Consumer Act

    The Agricultural and consumer protection Act of 1973
  • Prosperous Years

    1973-1974 were prosperous years in rural America and first time since record of per capita farm income
  • Combining Corn

    Finished combining corn, the new bin is full and helping the bills getting paid for the farmers
  • September 29, 1977

    Signed into law helping farmers and supporting farmer-owned reserve for grain.
  • Food and Agriculture Act of 1977

    The Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 increased farm price and income supports, established a farmer-owned grain reserve, and significantly reformed the Food Stamp Program by eliminating the purchase requirement and simplifying eligibility rules.