Sheep Farming: (1810-1940)
Valley Ridge Farm, Orwell
Sheep farming in Vermont dates back to the 18th century when the state's earliest settlers brought sheep with them as part of their family agricultural operations. The early sheep were of no particular breed, and they were raised for the dual purpose of mutton and wool for the family. Beginning in the 1810s sheep farming began to develop from a largely subsistence operation into an industry that gave Vermont national prominence, first for the production of wool, and later for its superior sheep breeding. During the second half of the 19th century, sheep farming began to decline and was gradually eclipsed by the dairy industry.
Stock Breeding (1790-1940)
The history of stock breeding in Vermont dates back to the 1790s when Justin Morgan of Randolph Center advertised his colt for stud in 1793-4. The progeny of Morgan's horse made Vermont nationally famous in subsequent decades as the home state of the Morgan breed. However, it was not until the 1820s with the development of sheep farming that significant stock breeding occurred among other kinds of livestock. In the latter half of the 19th century, interest in stock breeding gained considerable importance as breeder associations were established, and animal husbandry in general developed into an increasingly specialized, scientific vocation.
Dairying has constituted an important part of Vermont's agricultural production since the early 1800s. After 1850, when the decline of the sheep industry forced farmers to find alternative pursuits, and the coming of the railroad in the 1850s opened up new markets in southern New England and New York, dairying began to develop into Vermont's leading agricultural industry. Dairying not only reinforced Vermont's importance as an agricultural state, but it also expanded the role of agriculture in the political arena at home, and brought Vermont to the forefront in terms of progressive agricultural legislation, education and organization in New England.
Diversified and Specialty Agriculture (1760-1940)
Mink Barn; East Montpelier, Vermont
While farmers were engaged in large-scale, specialized commercial operations as early as the 1820s diversified, or general purpose farming continued in Vermont until well into the 20th century. Unlike southern New England, where proximity to the coast and major urban markets encouraged early specialization, Vermont's inland location and rugged terrain made access to major markets both difficult and expensive. Competition with the West also proved a significant barrier to large-scale agricultural specialization. Consequently, many farmers raised a variety of products while specializing in, or experimenting with small-scale operations such as hops, potato, poultry, or mink farming.
Orchard Farming (1820-1940)
The history of orchard farming in Vermont is largely confined to the apple tree. Apple trees were raised on the earliest farms in Vermont to supplement the family diet. Although commercial orchard farming began as early as the 1810s on Isle La Motte where fall harvests were shipped as far away as England, it did not get underway to any significant degree until the late 19th century when large-scale orchards were established in western Vermont. While Vermont does not rank among the leading apple growing states in this country, orchard farming continues to play a role of relative significance in Vermont agriculture.
Agricultural Social, Educational and Political Institutions (1800-1940)
Grange Hall; Tunbridge, Vermont
Societies to promote agriculture were established in this state as early as 1806, but the development of Vermont's agricultural institutions did not occur to any significant degree until the 1840s. Market expansion and the growing tendency towards specialization, combined with the threat of Western competition and the exodus of increasing numbers of Vermonters, stimulated the rapid growth of agriculture-related social, educational and political institutions and organizations such as farmers' clubs, the Grange, fairs, lobbying groups, and agricultural schools, and from the mid-19th century onwards.
Agricultural Processing (1760-1940)
Adams Grist Mill; Bellows Falls, Vermont
Agricultural processing describes those farm products that were processed for commercial, as opposed to purely subsistence purposes. Most of the processes, such as tanning, grist milling, wool processing, and cheese and butter making, began as home-based operations and were gradually removed to a factory setting.
All information and photographs from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
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