Founding Farmers: Agriculture’s Role in Cultivating the USA

Agriculture has been woven into the very fabric of the United States of America since its founding in 1776.

Around 90% of the colonial population worked as farmers, according to an 18th-century census. Those colonists often practiced subsistence agriculture, stewarding their natural resources while growing the food and fiber on which their families depended.

It's fitting, then, that some of the country's Founding Fathers were also Founding Farmers.

Those men, along with merchants, military leaders, ministers, printers and politicians, fought for a cause greater than themselves while crafting the Declaration of Independence, fighting in the Revolutionary War and establishing the U.S. Constitution.

Historians debate the number of farmers, or "planters," who signed the Declaration of Independence, with some arguing nearly half the 56 signers qualify. Others say just nine worked the soil of the fledgling nation.

One of the most well-known planters-turned-politicians is Thomas Jefferson, who grew tobacco on his Virginia plantation, was the principal author of the Declaration and was later elected the third president of the U.S.

While not a farmer, Declaration signer and inventor Benjamin Franklin took a decided interest in agriculture. Mirroring the goal of modern conservationists, Franklin conducted experiments related to restoring fertility in nutrient-depleted soils.

Perhaps the most prominent Founding Farmer didn't sign the Declaration. Instead, patriot George Washington led the Continental Army as its general during the Revolution. He later served as the young democratic republic's first president.

Despite his public service, Washington was most at home on his Virginia farm, Mount Vernon. He's often remembered in the farm community for saying, "I'd rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world."

Editor's Note: This is the first in a four-part series highlighting agriculture's prominent role in U.S. history as America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about semiquincentennial events in Alabama at America250AL.org.