Land Availability: New England is a relatively small region compared to other areas in the United States, and the amount of arable land was limited due to the rocky terrain, forests, and hilly landscape. This scarcity of available land made it difficult for large-scale farming operations to be established.
Soil Quality: The soil quality in New England is generally rocky, thin, and less fertile than in other regions of the country. This made it more challenging for farmers to grow large quantities of crops on a single piece of land.
Climate: New England has a relatively short growing season compared to other regions, with cold winters and a shorter summer period. This limited the types of crops that could be grown and discouraged farmers from investing heavily in large-scale farming operations.
Transportation: During the early settlement of New England, transportation infrastructure was limited. Rivers and roads were often challenging to navigate, making it difficult for farmers to transport their products to markets in a cost-effective manner. This made large-scale farming less viable.
Subsistence Farming: Many farms in New England were primarily focused on subsistence farming, meaning they produced food primarily for the consumption of the farmer and their family rather than for sale. This reduced the need for extensive landholdings and large-scale farming practices.
Cultural Factors: The cultural values and traditions of the early settlers in New England placed an emphasis on self-sufficiency and individual land ownership. This contributed to the development of smaller, family-run farms rather than large agricultural enterprises.
These factors combined to make small farms the most prevalent type of farming operation in New England during its early history.