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Humans shifted from hunting and gathering to farming, growing crops and raising animals. This allowed them to settle, build villages, and create societies. -
The beginning of crops like wheat, barley, and rice, as well as the breeding of animals like sheep, cattle, and pigs -
Early tools like stone sickles and plows, followed by the invention of the wheel, helped improve farming efficiency, and a major tool was created called the scratch plow which was a simple device that was attached to an animal which pulled it and made gaps into the soil where the seeds could get put into -
a padded piece of worn by a horse around its neck and shoulders, when used for pulling wagons or plows -
The construction of irrigation systems to control water flow and improve crop yields -
The development of techniques like crop rotation, terracing, and the use of animal-drawn plows -
The exchange of plants and animals between the Old World and the New World, leading to new crops and livestock in various regions -
The 17th century witnessed the introduction of new crops, like maize and potatoes, from the Americas, which added variety to the European diet and increased food production. -
many new technology advances were made during this time period like steam powered tractors and threshing machines -
The introduction of synthetic fertilizers and the development of new farming techniques led to a significant increase in crop yields -
The Homestead Act of 1862 and the railroads played a crucial role in settling new lands and attracting farmers from Europe -
The number of farms in the South doubled since 1880, reaching over 2.1 million in 1900. -
Tractors, combines, and other machines became more common, reducing the need for manual labor and increasing the speed of farm operations -
More and more farmers were growing crops primarily for sale on the market rather than making it for themselves and consume it on their own -
Plant breeding, including genetic modification, led to the development of hardier and more productive crop varieties