Agriculture Technology
For the topic for my paper, I’m considering discussing the technologies of farming, specifically the tractor. For years, agricultural production was held back by the availability of labor. People could only grow what they had the man- or animal power to plant and harvest. With the invention of the tractor, farmers could produce more food. But, to stay competitive, each farmer had to keep up with the latest technologies and work longer hours. To finance new technology, farmers became heavily indebted to banks. As I started my research, I saw that one book described farming as becoming less of a “lifestyle” and more of a “business.”
As the number of jobs in the countryside was reduced and food prices declined, cities were able to grow. With the growth of cities, Americans lost their connection to the land. The technology of the tractor delivered us into the grasp of what Postman would call “technopoly.” We want everything to be mechanized, standardized, and immediate.
*Fordson, Farmall, and Poppin’ Johnny: A History of the Farm Tractor and Its Impact on America
Comments
This is an interesting topic. My father grew up on a farm and his family heavily relied on their tractors to produce enough wheat and corn. Without the tractor, food production would be significantly lower and our population wouldn't stand a chance for surviving. I do agree that farming is more of a business now just because of the demand and the loss of land to farm on.
Posted by: Allison Larson | March 10, 2009 12:15 PM
This is an interesting topic. My father grew up on a farm and his family heavily relied on their tractors to produce enough wheat and corn. Without the tractor, food production would be significantly lower and our population wouldn't stand a chance for surviving. I do agree that farming is more of a business now just because of the demand and the loss of land to farm on.
Posted by: Allison L | March 10, 2009 12:15 PM
I disagree with the quote you found that farming is more of a business than a lifestyle. Yes, I do agree that farming operations need to make economical decisions to make a profit, but it's the farmers that put in over 50 or 60 hours a week that it becomes a lifestyle. There are many farms in my area (central Minnesota) that are family owned and operated. It is their lifestyle. I realize that nothing I am commenting on has to do with the tractor; I wanted to point this out.
Posted by: Emily A. | March 10, 2009 7:31 PM