On August 10, 1821, Missouri officially became the 24th state of the United States. This event marked a significant expansion of the American agricultural frontier. Missouri, part of the Louisiana Purchase, was rich in fertile land and quickly became a hub for farming and livestock production.

 

🌾 Agricultural Significance

  • Soil & Climate: Missouri’s diverse geography and temperate climate made it ideal for growing corn, soybeans, wheat, and raising cattle.
  • Gateway to the West: As settlers moved westward, Missouri served as a launching point for agricultural development in the Great Plains.
  • River Access: The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers enabled trade and transport of agricultural goods, boosting the region’s economy.

🧭 Historical Context

  • Missouri’s admission was part of the Missouri Compromise, which balanced slave and free states in the Union.
  • The state’s agricultural economy played a key role in shaping early American rural life and trade.
 

Agriculture in Missouri has undergone profound changes since the state’s founding on August 10, 1821. Here's a historical overview of how farming has evolved over the past two centuries:

🌾 Early Agriculture (1821–Late 1800s)

  • Missouri was the western frontier of the U.S. in 1821, with only 66,586 residents.
  • Farming was manual and subsistence-based, focused on crops like corn, wheat, and livestock such as hogs and cattle.
  • Settlers established farms along rivers for trade and transport, especially the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
  • Families were self-reliant, often isolated, and used rudimentary tools and techniques.

🚜 Industrialization & Mechanization (1900s)

  • The Missouri Farm Bureau, the first in the U.S., was founded in 1915, supporting farmers with advocacy and education.
  • Mechanization (tractors, combines) transformed productivity, reducing labor needs and increasing yields.
  • The number of farmers declined as efficiency improved—today, less than 2% of Missouri’s population are active farmers.

🌱 Modern Agriculture (2000s–Present)

  • Agriculture, forestry, and related industries now contribute $93.7 billion to Missouri’s economy and support over 450,000 jobs.
  • Missouri farms produce soybeans, corn, cattle, poultry, and wine grapes, with increasing emphasis on sustainability and technology.
  • Precision farming, GPS-guided equipment, and data analytics are widely used.
  • Family farms remain central, with programs like Founding Farms honoring those in continuous operation since 1821.

🧠 Legacy & Innovation

  • Despite floods, droughts, wars, and economic shifts, Missouri’s agricultural heritage remains strong.
  • The state celebrates Founding Farms, with 28 families still farming land first cultivated in 1821.