Agriculture is the practice and science of cultivating land and raising crops, animals and fungi to sustain human life. Agriculture is practiced for a variety of purposes including raising animals and crops for food, textiles, fiber and biofuel. The terms "farming" and "agriculture" are closely related.
Agricultural practices first arose 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent. At that time, humans began developing and implementing irrigation, domestication, crop rotation and fertilization. During the Middle Ages, Muslims greatly expanded upon these practices by developing farming machines, writing farming manuals, and bringing crops to Europe. With the advent of steam power and pragmatic farming techniques, the Industrial Revolution expanded the size, scope, technology and productivity of farms. This paved the way for major strides in agricultural advancement in the 19th and 20th centuries.
About 2 million people now farm or ranch in the U.S., working on average 200 days per year. As time has passed since the Green Revolution of the mid- to late 1900s, sustainable farming practices have been emphasized and implemented more and more. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Solar panels pair surprisingly well with tomatoes, peppers and pollinators
September 30, 2019, 4:10 p.m. by Russell McLendon
In 'agrivoltaics,' crops and solar panels not only share land and sunlight, but also make each other more efficient.
A beekeeper solves his thieving bear problem by making them taste testers
August 29, 2019, 3:49 p.m. by Christian Cotroneo
It turns out they have very expensive taste.
There's a new apple in town
August 6, 2019, 1:54 p.m. by Mary Jo DiLonardo
After 20 years in development, the Cosmic Crisp will soon hit stores.
Southwest may see 'megadrought' this century
July 25, 2019, 12:57 p.m. by Russell McLendon
'This will be worse than anything seen during the last 2,000 years,' researchers say.
Scientists start the clock on human impact
May 28, 2019, 10:58 a.m. by Bryan Nelson
The Anthropocene Era now has an official beginning.
Tomatoes tasted much better 100 years ago. Can their flavor be restored?
May 14, 2019, 11:22 a.m. by Bryan Nelson
Researchers continue to analyze the genes that control tomato flavor — and they are finding missing links.
Basil gets tastier with 24-hour light
April 10, 2019, 2:52 p.m. by Robin Shreeves
MIT scientists are creating 'climate recipes' for the herb.
Apple trees are mysteriously dying all across America and nobody knows why
March 29, 2019, 9:18 a.m. by Bryan Nelson
In some regions, as many as 80 percent of trees could be in danger.
Why the Amazon rainforest could be devastated by the U.S.-China trade war
March 27, 2019, 6:24 p.m. by Bryan Nelson
Beijing turns to Brazil to make up for its shortfall in soya beans.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, a Tinder-style app ... for cows
February 12, 2019, 4:43 p.m. by Christian Cotroneo
Swipe right if you enjoy long walks in the pasture.
Researchers hack plants to increase efficiency
January 7, 2019, 9:18 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
By improving the process by which plants get rid of toxic compounds, researchers improve their overall growth.
10 cultural variations on Thanksgiving
November 15, 2018, 12:57 p.m. by Josh Lew
Many cultures have end-of-growing-season holidays that are similar to Thanksgiving.
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Your 2019 fall foliage guide
Now you know the best time to be a 'leaf peeper' in any part of the U.S.
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Why do leaves change color in autumn?
Learn about the natural mechanisms that produce breathtaking fall foliage each year.
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Test your fall knowledge
The days are getting shorter and pumpkin spice seems to be everywhere: It must be fall.
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10 best places outside the U.S. for fall color
These places around the world that equal U.S. locales when it comes to colorful scenery.
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5 classic fall recipes
Roasted veggies and soups of all kinds are what we're talking about.
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