Background
Growing crops for food was one of the first priorities of the earliest
settlers arriving in North America. With shipboard supplies depleted,
and having little familiarity with the land and native vegetation, groups
arriving from Europe were quickly forced to learn to produce crops to
ensure their survival. The stories of Native Americans teaching the settlers
to plant and fertilize a corn crop are part of this country’s lore.
In the era of Thomas Jefferson (arguably the most illustrious farmer
that this nation has produced), farmers made up about 90% of the work
force. As late as 1900, almost 40% of the labor force was engaged in producing
crops and livestock for food, feed, and fiber. Now, with less than one
percent of our population claiming farming as a principal occupation,
most U.S. citizens have little or no crop production experience. This
section provides an overview of the principles and practices associated
with production of the major crops grown in the United States.
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