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What's Your Planting Zone? | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Know your zone! This is the first step to gardening. By understanding your USDA Hardiness Zone or Canadian Planting Zone, you can choose plants that can survive and grow year after year in your area. We’ll explain what planting zones are all about, how to use this information, and links to the latest maps.

What Are Planting Zones?

Obviously, not every perennial, shrub, or tree grows and thrives in every climate.  When choosing plants for your garden, it’s important to select varieties that can survive and thrive year-round in your area, especially in regions where extreme winter temperatures are normal.  The plant must tolerate year-round conditions, such as the lowest and highest temperatures and the amount of rainfall.

The two most commonly referenced hardiness zone maps are those produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRC). Different measures are used to create each country’s map, as explained below.

Note that planting zones are a guide, not absolute, especially if you live in a microclimate. These are tiny “pockets” which most commonly occur in areas with steep elevation changes, a body of water, or urbanization. They may be warmer or cooler than the surrounding zone. Learn more about microclimates.

Find Your USDA Planting Zone 

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on average annual minimum winter temperatures of each region and divided into thirteen distinct 10ºF zones, which are further divided into sub-zones of 5°F.

Most plants that you buy are marked with a hardiness zone number. The label will identify the zones in the U.S. where the plant can thrive. 

The USDA map is color coded to make it even easier to see where your area falls.  A sample map of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones is below. Click here to go directly to the USDA website and see a map of your state’s zones.

How to Use Your Planting Zone

Planting zones are most useful to gardeners growing perennial plants, since perennials are meant to live beyond just one growing season. Perennials need to be able to survive winter in your area, so it’s important to know how cold it typically gets in your area and whether a particular plant is hardy enough to survive those temperatures. 

Perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees grow best when planted in the appropriate zone. You’ll find that winter damage occurs most often when plants are out of their range or “comfort zone.” When you choose plants for a garden or landscape, avoid selecting plants that are only marginally hardy for your region; that’s when you’ll see winter damage, poor growth, and a reduction in flowering.

Planting native species is a surefire way to achieve a stable garden. Native plants are which occur naturally where you live! So, naturally, they will thrive in their habitat.  See our article on natural landscaping.

For annual plants, like most vegetables and some flowers, it’s far more important to pay attention to things like the length of your growing season and the typical dates of your first and last frosts. (See local frost dates here.) Because annuals are only meant to last the length of one growing season, planting zones don’t necessarily factor into the equation.

NRC Canadian Planting Zones Map

Unlike the USDA map, which is based only on minimum winter temperatures, the planting zones map produced by Natural Resources Canada (NRC) considers a wider range of climatic variables, including maximum temperatures and the length of the frost-free period. Because of this, the zones listed in the Canadian and US maps are not on the same scale, so keep that in mind before following one or the other!

NRC also produces a map that shows plant hardiness zones for Canada based on the USDA extreme minimum temperature approach. Click here to see Canadian planting zone maps.

Since some Canadians will buy plants from the U.S., it may also be helpful to understand how to use USDA zones in Canada. As rule of thumb, add one zone to the designated USDA zone. For example, USDA zone 4 is roughly comparable to zone 5 in Canada. If you’re on the fence about a plant, always go one zone higher to be on the safe side and avoid disappointment!

Learn More

Another key part of successful gardening is knowing when your frost dates are. Find your local frost dates here.

What are your thoughts on planting zones? Are they accurate? Let us know in the comments below!

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | Planting Zones Map USA

The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 11 separate planting zones; each growing zone is 10°F warmer (or colder) in an average winter than the adjacent zone. If you see a hardiness zone in a gardening catalog or plant description, chances are it refers to this USDA map. To find your USDA Hardiness Zone, enter your zip code or use the map below. Click here for more information about hardiness maps.

Find Your USDA Planting Zone

Find your zone using the map below or enter your zip code.

What is Plant Hardiness?

Gardeners need a way to compare their garden climates with the climate where a plant is known to grow well. That's why climate zone maps were created. Zone maps are tools that show where various permanent landscape plants can adapt. If you want a shrub, perennial, or tree to survive and grow year after year, the plant must tolerate year-round conditions in your area, such as the lowest and highest temperatures and the amount and distribution of rainfall.

Using the Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The latest version of the USDA Zone Map was jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group, and released in January of 2012. To help develop the new map, USDA and OSU requested that horticultural and climatic experts review the zones in their geographic area, and trial versions of the new map were revised based on their expert input.

Compared to the 1990 version, zone boundaries in the 2012 edition of the map have shifted in many areas. The new map is generally one 5°F half-zone warmer than the previous map throughout much of the United States. This is mostly a result of using temperature data from a longer and more recent time period; the new map uses data measured at weather stations during the 30-year period 1976-2005. In contrast, the 1990 map was based on temperature data from only a 13-year period of 1974-1986.

However, some of the changes in the zones are a result of new, more sophisticated methods for mapping zones between weather stations. These include algorithms that considered for the first time such factors as changes in elevation, nearness to large bodies of water, and position on the terrain, such as valley bottoms and ridge tops. Also, the new map used temperature data from many more stations than did the 1990 map. These advances greatly improved the accuracy and detail of the map, especially in mountainous regions of the western United States. In some cases, they resulted in changes to cooler, rather than warmer, zones.

To view this map, visit our 2012 USDA Hardiness Zone Map.

The 1990 USDA Hardiness Zone Map

This webpage was originally based on the 1990 USDA Hardiness Zone Map, which is one of several maps developed to provide this critical climate information. The USDA map is the one most gardeners in the eastern United States rely on, and the one that most national garden magazines, catalogs, books, websites and nurseries currently use. This map divides North America into 11 separate zones. Each zone is 10°F warmer (or colder) in an average winter than the adjacent zone. (In some versions of the map, each zone is further divided into "a" and "b" regions.)

Click on your region for an enlarged view

Color Chart Reference

What Plants Can I Grow in my Zone

Surviving the winter is a primary cause of perennial plants, shrubs and trees not surviving the winter in your garden. Now that you've used this page to find your hardiness zone, when you are shopping for plants check the plant tag and there will almost always be a "Zone Range" listed. For example, if you are in zone 6, then plants that are "Zone 5-8" will survive your winters just fine. Many plants in our plants database have their zone hardiness listed.

Great for the East

The USDA map does a fine job of delineating the garden climates of the eastern half of North America. That area is comparatively flat, so mapping is mostly a matter of drawing lines approximately parallel to the Gulf Coast every 120 miles or so as you move north. The lines tilt northeast as they approach the Eastern Seaboard. They also demarcate the special climates formed by the Great Lakes and by the Appalachian mountain ranges.

Zone Map Drawbacks

But this map has shortcomings. In the eastern half of the country, the USDA map doesn't account for the beneficial effect of a snow cover over perennial plants, the regularity or absence of freeze-thaw cycles, or soil drainage during cold periods. And in the rest of the country (west of the 100th meridian, which runs roughly through the middle of North and South Dakota and down through Texas west of Laredo), the USDA map fails.

Problems in the West

Many factors beside winter lows, such as elevation and precipitation, determine western growing climates in the West. Weather comes in from the Pacific Ocean and gradually becomes less marine (humid) and more continental (drier) as it moves over and around mountain range after mountain range. While cities in similar zones in the East can have similar climates and grow similar plants, in the West it varies greatly. For example, the weather and plants in low elevation, coastal Seattle are much different than in high elevation, inland Tucson, Arizona, even though they're in the same zone USDA zone 8.

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US Agriculture

The agro-industrial complex plays an important role in the US economy. It includes industries that create the means of production for agriculture, agricultural production itself, industries that ensure the processing and marketing of agricultural raw materials and products made from these raw materials, as well as those sectors of the production and social infrastructure that directly affect the creation of agricultural products. The agricultural sector employs about 20 million people, or 18% of the economically active population, and 5.2 million people directly in agriculture. The share of agriculture in the country's GDP is about 1%. In terms of total agricultural production ($204.0 billion, 2016), the United States ranks sixth in the world, and first in its exports ($140.0 billion).

The US administration is pursuing an active foreign economic policy aimed at expanding opportunities for marketing American agricultural products abroad. For this, bilateral and regional free trade agreements concluded by the United States are used, which provide for the gradual elimination of import duties on American agricultural products. At the same time, American producers continue to actively use the opportunities provided by US law to introduce protective measures against imported agricultural products.

Several conditions contributed to the rapid development of agriculture. Firstly, a large influx of European immigrants during the 19th - first half of the 20th centuries, who brought experience, skills and methods of managing; secondly, the presence of favorable natural conditions and fertile lands. Climatic conditions make it possible to grow here all agricultural crops of the temperate and subtropical zones, and in the south of Florida - many tropical crops; thirdly, sensible public policy, which first stimulated the development of the land, and today is aimed at encouraging the further expansion of agricultural production in order to promote American products to the world market; fourthly, the absence of vestiges of feudalism, which hampered the creation of commodity capitalist forms and family farms in most of the country, with the exception of the South. In modern conditions, the development of agriculture is promoted by such factors as the scientific and technological revolution, agro-industrial integration, government regulation and the impact of the world market.

The United States has vast land holdings. More than 450 million hectares are used in agriculture, including 186 million hectares under cultivation, 239 million hectares under natural pastures, 27 million hectares under cultivated pastures and hayfields. In half of the states, sustainable agriculture is possible only with irrigation. The area of ​​irrigated land is 22.9 million hectares.

Most of the land fund (2/3) is privately owned, the rest is state land. Farm land makes up just over 60% of private property. Only 60% of farmers are full land owners, the rest are partial owners and tenants. Economic power in agriculture is determined by large farms. They own more than 50% of the farm area and they account for most of the agricultural income. In total, there are 2. 1 million farms in the United States. Farms with annual sales of more than $100,000 (46.6% of farms) produce over 48% of products, and those with annual sales of more than $1 million (1.4% of farms) produce 41.7%. The average farm size is 195 ha. Land plots are especially large in the west and south-west of the country.

The government provides a variety of assistance to support farming. One of them is a program for labeling a number of products with a label that says Fair Trade (“Fair Trade”). Such goods are sold for about twice as much as regular goods, and part of the proceeds from the sale goes to support American farmers.

The development of the agro-industrial complex was facilitated by its mechanization and chemicalization. The United States leads the world in providing agriculture with electricity, tractors, combines, and fertilizers. The bulk of the farms are electrified; this created the conditions for the introduction of mechanization in animal husbandry. The number of tractors is about 5 million units. (first place in the world). Tractors completely replaced farm animals - horses and mules - from agriculture. Various attachments are available for tractors, allowing you to perform a wide variety of operations. In addition to tractors, farms have more than 3 million trucks, over 660,000 grain combines, and many corn, cotton, potato and other machines. Approximately 20 million tons of mineral fertilizers are applied to the fields annually. On average, 115 kg of mineral fertilizers fall on 1 ha of arable land.

Recently, automation has been increasingly used in US agriculture. We can also talk about the beginning of the transition of the agro-industrial complex to a higher biotechnological stage. The share of genetically modified crops is high in crops. So, up to half of the soybeans grown and almost a quarter of the corn is grown in this way. The use of genetic engineering methods in some cases provides an increase in their yield by 40-60%. The use of hormonal supplements in animal husbandry is growing at an equally rapid pace.

In recent decades, the concept of "alternative (organic) farming", which provides for measures to protect natural resources and produce environmentally friendly products, has been of particular interest. This refers to the creation of a production system that reduces or eliminates the use of mineral fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides. There is a lot of selection work going on. Breeding new varieties of various crops is of considerable importance for increasing productivity. Artificial irrigation of fields has been widely developed: automated irrigation and pumping systems, canals, aqueducts.

In the US, this direction has not yet become widespread. The area occupied by organic agriculture is only 2 million hectares, or 0.6%. The total volume of manufactured products in 2016 amounted to $14.2 million. All products were sent to the American market. Spending on the purchase of organic food amounted to $121 per person.

Livestock production has dominated agricultural output for many decades, but this gap is gradually narrowing. This is largely due to the fact that changes are taking place in the diet of Americans. If earlier US residents consumed a lot of meat and dairy products, now there is a decrease in the consumption of livestock products and an increase in demand for flour products, wine, vegetables and fruits. The high level of consumption of livestock products, as well as fast food, has affected the health of the population. Americans are considered one of the most obese nations in the world, which adversely affects not only the image of the country, but also the cost of medicine. Since the beginning of the XXI century. the country actively promotes a healthy lifestyle, including in the field of nutrition. In general, the United States is one of the world's largest consumers of agricultural products, both in absolute volumes and per capita.

Grain farming, cultivation of fodder and industrial crops, vegetable growing and horticulture are developed in the USA. Most of the cultivated area is concentrated in the central part of the country - between the border with Canada in the North and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the South. The largest agricultural states are Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and North Dakota. The United States is characterized by belt placement of crops. The number of such belts, depending on the detailing system, can vary quite significantly. In the twentieth century, some belts have undergone a significant transformation, while others have changed much less. Along the border with Canada, from Lake Superior to the Cordillera, there is a "milk belt".

South of it, between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River in the east, through the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City in the south and to the Cordillera stretches "corn and soybean belt." To the west of the corn-soybean belt is the "wheat belt". Geographically, it coincides with the Great Plains. The mid-Atlantic coast, the middle and southern Appalachians and the plains adjacent to them are the former "tobacco belt". The Florida Peninsula and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico are occupied by the "cotton belt". The foothills of the Cordillera and Alaska are used as pastures (belt pasture beef cattle breeding and reindeer breeding belt).

Currently, the cotton and tobacco belts do not actually exist. In their place, livestock and crop production areas arose, including the poultry farming of the Southeast and beef cattle breeding in the south of the Great Plains. Cotton growing has been hit hard by the rapid development of the chemical industry, as well as the expansion of cotton cultivation in countries where it is much cheaper to grow it. Tobacco production is also declining due to competition from "cheap" markets in Asia and Latin America.

The main direction of agriculture is grain production. The total grain harvest in 2016 amounted to 476 million tons. The leading grain crop is corn. Under it, 35 million hectares are occupied (collection - 384.8 million tons), followed by wheat (62.9 million tons). Up to half of the harvested corn goes to the production of ethanol used as fuel for cars. All grain crops are grown in “their” grain belts, and only wheat, including outside the wheat belt, is in Washington state. Along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi and almost to the border with Mexico, as well as in southern California, rice is cultivated (10.2 million tons). In the arid regions of the Great Plains, sorghum is an important fodder crop (12.2 million tons).

Production of the most important types of agricultural products in 2016, million tons

Crop production
Cereals 476.0 Tuber roots 21.4 - apples 4.6
- corn 384.8 Legumes - strawberry 1.4
- wheat 62.9 - soy 117.2 Vegetables 33.1
- sorghum 12.2 Sugar-bearing 63.4 - tomatoes 13. 0
- fig 10.2 Fruit 31.1 - green peas 3.3
- barley 4.3 - citrus fruits 7.5 - cauliflower and broccoli 1.3
Oilseeds 21.6 - grapes 7.1 - beans 1.3
- peanuts 2.6 - oranges 7.2 Potatoes 20.0
Livestock
Milk 96.4 Beef 11.5 Eggs 6.0
Poultry 21.5 Pork 11.3 Oil 0.8
Cheeses 5.6

The main industrial crops are cotton and tobacco. In 2016, cotton production amounted to 3. 8 million tons (third place in the world), tobacco - 285.2 thousand tons. The leading cotton producers are the states of Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, California, Arkansas, North Carolina and Louisiana. They account for 80% of the total production. Tobacco is grown in Connecticut.

Large areas are occupied by sugar-bearing crops - sugar beet and sugar cane. Sugar beet is grown chiefly in the irrigated lands of the Western States, and without irrigation in the Lake States; sugarcane - on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. In 2016, the harvest of sugar crops amounted to 63.4 million tons, of which 7.7 million tons of sugar were produced. However, there is not enough sugar in their country and 1.5-2 million tons are imported from Latin American and Asian countries.

Among oilseeds, the cultivation of peanuts (south-east of the country and the Mexican lowland), sunflower, rapeseed, mustard and tung is of paramount importance. In 2016, the production of oilseeds amounted to 18.5 million tons, including 2. 6 million tons of peanuts, 1.4 million tons of rapeseed, and 1.2 million tons of sunflower seeds.

The central regions of the country, the coast of the Great Lakes, the coastal zones of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans specialize in horticulture and vegetable growing, both in the temperate zone and in the subtropical and tropical zones. In 2016, 31.1 million tons of fruits, 33.1 million tons of vegetables and 20.0 million tons of potatoes were harvested. Americans consume a lot of vegetables and fruits throughout the year and fresh. A significant part of them goes for processing, especially for the production of juices.

The main region for growing fruits and vegetables is California, which is not accidentally called the country of 350 sunny days. California provides 1/2 of the world harvest of lemons, 1/3 of oranges. In the US, it accounts for 9/10 grape harvest, 1/2 - peaches, pears, plums, tomatoes, 1/2 production of fruit and vegetable canned food. Among the grown fruits, the role of apples, citrus fruits and grapes is great. For example, the United States is the world's second largest producer of apples after China and the fourth largest producer of pears. In 2016, the harvest of oranges amounted to 7.2 million tons, apples - 4.6, grapefruits - 0.7 million tons, pears - 738.8 thousand tons, lemons and limes - 822, tangerines - 779.8 thousand tons1 . The main area for growing apples and pears is the states of Washington, Michigan and New York, citrus fruits are Florida, California, Texas and Louisiana. In the tropical regions of Florida, as well as California, tropical crops are cultivated: pineapple, papaya, avocado, cherimoya.

The USA has the largest vineyard plantations in the New World. The vineyard area is 410 thousand hectares. 75% of all vineyards are located in California (300 thousand hectares), the rest - in the states of New York, Washington, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Small vineyards are also found in other states. In California and Oregon, mainly Vitis vinifera grape varieties are grown, in other states - new hybrid varieties, Vitis labrusca and a small number of Franco-American hybrid varieties. In 2016, 7.1 million tons of grapes were harvested, from which 2.2 thousand tons of wine were produced. Table wines are produced (80% of the total production), sparkling, fortified (Madeira, sherry, port, muscatel), vermouth and brandy. White wines account for 65% of production, rosés 15%, and reds 20%.

Livestock has a predominantly meat business and is oriented to the domestic market. The number of livestock in 2016 was (million heads): cattle - 91.9, pigs - 71.5, sheep - 5.3, goats - 2.6, horses - 10.5, domestic deer - more than 17 thousand. The number of poultry is even more significant (million heads): chickens - 1971.9, turkeys - 144.0, ducks - 7.4.

The main livestock is concentrated on farms and ranches. The Northeast and the Lake States are dominated by dairy farming, which specializes in the production of milk, whole milk products, cheese and butter. In the mountain states and on the Great Plains, cattle are raised mainly for beef breeds. Pig farming gravitates towards the corn belt. In the vicinity of large cities in the southeastern states (Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina), large-scale poultry farming has been formed, focused on fattening meat broilers. The southwestern part of the Alaska Peninsula, as well as the islands of St. Lawrence, Nunivak, Umnak, St. Paul and St. George and a number of other territories are used for domestic reindeer pastures.

Despite the large number of crops grown, significant livestock production, fish and seafood, the country does not fully meet its needs for some types of food. Tropical fruits, bananas, pineapples, coffee and meat are imported. Annual imports of food products are made in excess of $ 150 billion.

Agriculture in the USA: specialization, industries and features

Author Alexey Pitelin Reading

  • US agriculture in the 19th century
  • Features of US agriculture
  • Farm agriculture in the US and Canada
  • Work in agriculture in the US

    • Agriculture in the US is developed at the highest level. It satisfies the domestic need for food, and sends part of it for export. The agricultural industry is divided into zones, it has a clear structure.

    Specialization optimized agricultural processes

    There are problems in the industry, they have sharply manifested themselves against the backdrop of globalization.

    US agriculture specialization

    The activity of the agricultural sector is supported by a developed transport network, the introduction of scientific achievements. Planting, growing and marketing are built into a seamlessly working chain. Americans put profit first. The system is designed in such a way as to get the maximum with a minimum investment.

    The specialization of US agriculture has its own peculiarities. The territory of America has a huge potential for development. The temperate climate, groundwater, rivers and fertile land contribute to good development.

    Regional specialization has ensured the efficient use of natural resources

    Rationality in America makes agricultural commodities highly liquid.

    The map of the States is divided into agricultural zones. You can get acquainted with the prerequisites and distribution by areas of US agriculture in the table.

    Industry Districts Favorable conditions
    corn South Plain Warm and humid climate, Chernozem
    Wheat Dry climate
    Clap south, south, south any plants with a long growing season
    Sugarcane, rice, fruits and vegetables Hawaii, California, Florida Humid and hot climate. You can also grow any plants with a long growing season
    Milk Northeast, Lakeland Less fertile land, humid climate
    Meat Pacific and Mountain States, Great Plains, rocky terrain
    Regional specialization of agriculture in the USA

    In terms of gross grain harvest, America ranks third in the world after China and India. In corn and soybeans, this is the undisputed leader.

    States are actively proving the benefits of GMOs. According to the latest official data, more than 100 different varieties of modified plants are already being sown on American fields.

    US agricultural industries

    Zonal division and specialization are an important characteristic of the US agricultural sector. In addition, the US agricultural sectors are divided into two large groups: crop production and animal husbandry.

    Crop production

    About two-thirds of the entire US harvest area is devoted to this industry. Many different crops are grown in the American territories. America ranks first in the world in tobacco production. Tobacco fields are located in the southeast.

    Soybeans are popular around the world

    The states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana are busy growing corn. The hot and moderately humid climate, combined with fertile soils, provides the culture with the most favorable conditions.

    Soybeans and cotton are grown in the south. Soybeans are popular all over the world. They are exported. At the same time, they also cover the domestic need of Americans for vegetable oils.

    Cotton is now in serious competition. It was replaced by chemical fibers, which are cheaper. But cotton plantations still exist. They are located in Texas, Arizona, California and along the lower Mississippi.

    In the dry regions of the Great Plains, in the Pacific Northwest, winter and spring wheat are traditionally grown. The full cycle, together with processing, takes place at modern grain factories.

    Livestock

    US agriculture is characterized by specialization. It also manifests itself in animal husbandry. The main industries are dairy and beef cattle breeding, pig breeding, and poultry farming.

    Northeast USA specializes in milk supplies

    Meat production largely depends on the forage base. Animal husbandry is developed on such a scale that the surplus is exported in large quantities.

    Chicken is the most popular food in America. Broilers are raised in the southeast. It has a warm climate and a lot of cheap labor.

    US Agricultural Geography

    In the 20th century, the American territory was divided into 4 macro regions. They differ from each other in history, cultural characteristics and the direction of economic development.

    The state of Hawaii belongs to the western macroregion. It is famous not only for tourism, but also for pineapples.

    The American territory can be divided into 4 macro regions

    Agriculture of the West USA

    The West developed first due to its geographical position. With him began the development of the New World. It is rich in raw materials and fuel, therefore it has become a symbol of American industrialization.

    Agriculture in the western United States has become the main market for livestock and grain. Agro-climatic conditions are favorable for growing wheat and corn. Pigs and beef cattle are bred here, the dairy belt of the country is located.

    US Northeast Agriculture

    The Northeastern states are better known as the industrial belt. In the territories there are branches of heavy industry. Also here was the development of agriculture in the northeast of the United States. But it is represented only by narrow-profile horticulture and dairy farming. In general, industrialists rather than farmers predominate here.

    Agriculture in the US South

    The South is often referred to as a macro-region of great change. He is strongly associated with racism and Confederate ideas. On the other hand, this is a rich region, where the extraction and processing of minerals is concentrated.

    Agriculture in the US South is traditionally represented by cotton plantations. In the Old South are famous tobacco plantations, this is the birthplace of Marlboro cigarettes. In the state of Florida, citruses are grown in such quantities that local farmers supply healthy fruits to the whole world.

    Agro-climatic conditions are favorable for growing wheat and corn

    Agricultural development in the USA

    In the colonial era, it was very easy to get a piece of free land. There was a right of first settler. It was enough to get away from habitable places and stake out a no-man's land. This is how squatters appeared.

    Farms were originally created as subsistence production. The production went primarily to provide everything necessary for the survival of a family or community. The surplus was sold in the markets. As the country developed line by line, more and more farms appeared.

    US agriculture in the 19th century

    The impetus for the development of the agricultural sector was the 19th century. The development of the transport network helped the development of the land. The railway played an important role in establishing logistics chains.

    In 1862 Congress passed Homestead Act

    Now everyone who wanted to get a piece of virgin land at a bargain price. This stimulated the development of the Middle and Far West. A large number of products began to go on sale. Growth rates made it possible to master even the European sales market.

    By the twentieth century, the development of the agricultural sector had lost its spontaneous character. Thanks to subsidies introduced by Roosevelt, the state takes this sector of the economy under its control.

    Features of US agriculture

    During the period 1920-1950 years the agricultural sector is being mechanized. Living labor is gradually being replaced by technology. Biotechnologies have been introduced since the 1980s. They made it possible to significantly increase the productivity of animals and plants.

    GMOs and steroids for mass gain are controversial in the scientific community and among the public. But America continues to use them.

    Features of the American agricultural sector include:

    Due to public pressure, attention to the environmental friendliness of products is gradually increasing.

    The agro-industrial complex consists of agriculture itself. It also includes industries that provide the material and technical base. For work, tractors, feed, seeds, products of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are needed.

    The logistics, trade and processing sector is also involved. Everything together works to increase efficiency and receive huge profits.

    There are 3 types of enterprises in the agricultural sector:

    Most of the land and production belongs to the third category.

    US and Canadian Farm Agriculture

    Farming in Canada and America has many similarities. In Canada, the cultivation of wheat is in the first place, followed by cattle breeding.

    The agricultural sector of both countries is based on large farms. American farmers are constantly controlled by the state. It is beneficial for the ministry to help them, because otherwise you can lose the national treasure - the land.

    Farmers traditionally form cooperatives. Moreover, they usually consist in several associations at once. This helps to establish the purchase and marketing of products.

    The Canadian government does not subsidize its farmers, but tries to support them in difficult times. In 2010, for example, a quarter of farms were affected by heavy rainfall. Western Canada lost its crops. The government tried to compensate for the losses.

    Labor productivity is ensured by the strong support of companies that produce and sell equipment. It is beneficial for a farmer to lease more modern combines, tractors and seeders.

    The Canadian government does not subsidize its farmers, but tries to support them in a difficult situation

    So they do not accumulate an outdated fleet of vehicles. Dealers give equipment for a year. Then they take it back and sell it to smaller farmers in the same way.

    Farmers do not save on storage either. New silos are constantly purchased, warehouses are equipped. The market always offers a huge selection of containers that are suitable for different volumes of collected products.

    Speed ​​comes first. The faster the farmer collects and ships the goods, the more profit he will make and the sooner he will start the next cycle.

    Work in the USA in agriculture

    Total mechanization did not abolish manual labor. Dairy farms, poultry farms, picking vegetables and fruits require seasonal work. It attracts students who come to the country under the Work and Travel USA program. Also, migrants are often involved in seasonal work.

    If the farm could not find workers within the country, then they have the right to attract foreign labor

    There is a visa in the form H-2A. It allows you to come to the US to work in the agricultural sector.

    Employers provide migrant workers with accommodation, transportation and meals. Wages are set according to the minimum bar set in a particular state.

    The latest data show that the number of farmers is steadily declining. Most often, these are elderly people. They inherited the land. There is also an upward trend. More and more small and medium farms are going bankrupt or being bought out by corporations.

    A new impetus to the development of small farms was the popularity of organic food. Although large companies have already penetrated into this industry. The trend towards decentralization is gradually fading into the past.

    The total GDP of the agricultural sector of the economy is no more than 2% of the country's gross turnover. But it is he who underlies the well-being of the States. Farmers have laid the foundation for the development of the state, they provide the internal needs of citizens for products.

    US Agriculture

    In addition, you can download the USAPROSTO RU app from the Google Play Store and stay up to date with the latest news about the US and Europe https://play.

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