THE FARMERS ARE COMMIES!!!

That's only true if you are a wingnut but I would like to point out some facts from AMERICAN AGRICULTURE: A Brief History by R. Donald Hunt.

In the period from 1815-60, farmers supported federal aid for improved transportation such as canals and railroads. (p. 117) By 1847, Congress regularly funded a program in the Patent Office to collect and distribute seeds and agricultural statistics. (p. 147) The Homestead Act of 1862 provided a strong incentive to settle and develop farming land. (p. 187) The Timber Culture Act of 1873 encouraged the planting of trees to prevent soil erosion. (p. 188) The Dept. of Agriculture was created in 1862 and promoted scientific farming. (p. 190) Also passed in 1862, the Morrill Land-Grant College Act created academic institutions devoted to improving agriculture.

The Grange movement was involved in the development of farmers co-operatives and advocated many progressive reforms, such as the direct election of U.S. senators, women suffrage and even government control of the railroads. (pp. 204-05) The Southern Alliance in 1890 also advocated government ownership of the railroads. (p. 208). Agrarian populists founded the People's Party in 1892 and advocated direct government involvement in the agricultural economy. (p. 209).

In 1902, the Reclamation Act enabled the creation of major irrigation projects in 16 Western states. In 1906, a USDA scientist developed a serum against hog cholera.