A New History of Kentucky by James C. Klotter

Author:James C. Klotter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky
Published: 2018-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

14

Bourbon Barons, Tobacco Tycoons, and King Coal

The Economy, 1865–2015

Agriculture

Before the Civil War, agriculture had been the economic lifeblood not only of Kentucky but also, in large part, of the nation. At a time when farm products formed a major part of economic wealth, Kentucky was a wealthy state. It ranked high or led nationally in the production of hemp, tobacco, corn, wheat, and livestock. Yet in the decades after the Brothers’ War, Kentucky slowly lost its leadership position, in part because of decisions made within the commonwealth, in part because of events taking place in the United States. Overall, the country was becoming an industrial nation, and agricultural wealth declined in importance. Kentucky did not match the nation’s pace of industrialization. But even in agriculture, problems arose. The opening of the great corn and wheat belt in the Midwest, for instance, introduced that region as a major producer that would soon eclipse Kentucky. Overall, several trends characterize the state’s agrarian history between 1865 and 2015: Crop patterns changed and, for a time, were less diverse. Livestock also played a greater role. The involvement of the federal government increased as well. Finally, as agriculture, as a science and a business, professionalized, the agricultural workforce decreased, and the family farm declined.

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