1. Mechanization: The introduction of tractors and other farm machinery revolutionized agriculture in the South. This allowed farmers to cultivate larger areas of land with less labor, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
2. Crop Diversification: Farmers in the South began to diversify their crops, moving away from the traditional reliance on cotton. They started growing crops like soybeans, peanuts, and vegetables, which provided more stable incomes and reduced the risk of relying on a single crop.
3. Agribusiness: Agriculture became increasingly industrialized, with the emergence of large agribusiness corporations that controlled various aspects of the food production process, including seed production, processing, and distribution.
4. Migration: As agriculture became more mechanized and efficient, the need for farm labor decreased, leading to the migration of many rural workers to urban areas in search of jobs in other sectors.
5. Consolidation: The changes in agriculture also led to the consolidation of farms, as smaller farms were absorbed by larger, more efficient operations. This resulted in a shift in the social structure of rural communities and a decline in the number of small family farms.
6. Environmental Impact: The intensification of agriculture, with increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, had negative impacts on the environment, including soil erosion, water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity.
7. Government Policies: Government policies, such as the farm subsidy programs and the Agricultural Adjustment Act, played a significant role in shaping agriculture in the South. These policies aimed to stabilize farm incomes and support farmers during periods of economic hardship.
Overall, the changes in agriculture in the late 1900s had profound effects on the Southern economy, society, and environment, leading to a transformation of the region's agricultural landscape and its rural communities.