Farming and agriculture are important themes in the history of the United States and many national and state parks throughout the country commemorate and preserve sites and stories related to this history. These sites often include museums, exhibits, and educational programs that provide visitors with an understanding of the history and significance of farming and agriculture in the regions they are located in.
Some examples of national and state parks that highlight farming and agriculture include:
- Minidoka National Historic Site in Idaho, which preserves the site of a World War II-era internment camp for Japanese Americans, many of the internees were farmers before they were incarcerated.
- Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Ohio, which preserves the remains of ancient Native American earthworks, including mounds that were used for farming and agriculture.
- James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Ohio, which preserves the home and farm of James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, who was a farmer before he became president.
- Homestead National Monument of America in Nebraska, which preserves the site of the first claim under the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided land for farming and agriculture.
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, which preserves the remains of an ancient Pueblo civilization, including structures and agricultural terraces that were used for farming and agriculture.
- Saguaro National Park in Arizona, which preserves the saguaro cactus and its ecosystem, which was an important resource for the Tohono O’odham people for farming and agriculture.
These are just a few examples, but there are many other national and state parks throughout the United States that highlight farming and agriculture. These sites provide an important opportunity to understand the history and importance of farming and agriculture in the United States, the struggles and the contributions of farmers, and how it shaped the nation as it is today.
