Development of American Agriculture

The classic historical study of American agricultural economic development, thoroughly revised and updated.



“Not only describes but analyzes and explains the economic behavior of agriculture as a functional sector of the economy in the process of economic development. . . . There is no substitute. [The Development of American Agriculture] is unique.” James T. Bonnen

Michigan State University

In this landmark survey of the history of American agriculture from 1607 to the present, Willard Cochrane provides a thorough analysis of U.S. agricultural development. Cochrane first offers a general history of agriculture in America and then continues with an extensive examination of the structural, political, and economic forces that have shaped American agriculture through the years. Finally he presents a thought-provoking theoretical model of agricultural development in the United States for the period 1950-90.

In addition to providing fully updated historical and statistical material, this fully revised second edition of The Development of American Agriculture emphasizes the impact of the widened international market on American agriculture and includes a new chapter on the impact of environmental policy on agricultural development. The Development of American Agriculture is an indispensable resource for anyone concerned with economic development in general and agricultural economic development in particular.