Economic look at Small Scale Farming

In recent times small-scale American farms have been diminishing. The environment, larger corporate farms, and advances in technology and machinery have been causing economic difficulties for small family farms for years.
The farming techniques practiced in 1700 were somewhat limited by lack of technological advancements which we have in modern times. Farmers raised corn, beans and squash. Women did the farming while men were responsible for hunting and making tools. Families were subsistence farmers, raising just enough for their family to survive throughout the year. Many built separate summer and winter lodges in areas where climate was an issue.
The split rail fence, wheat field, rooting pigs and log house became popular in the 1800’s. During this time farms were in transition between subsistence agriculture (producing enough for the family to survive) and becoming a profit-making farm. Most farms in 1850 averaged 199 acres in size, with farmers cultivating anywhere from...