1900 Horse-Powered Farm - Living History Farms, Iowa (2024)

FAQs

What is the oldest farm in Iowa? ›

The Garretson farm is the oldest farm in Iowa, established 1837. Aug. 17, 2 p.m. Joel Garretson will share some of the history of his family farm.

In 1900, the farmer performed chores by hand, plowed with a walking plow, forked hay, milked by hand, and went to town once a week on horseback or by wagon to obtain the few necessities not produced on the farm. The power needed for farm operations was supplied by work animals and humans.

Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa is an interactive, 500-acre outdoor museum that tells the amazing 300+ year story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest into the most productive farmland in the world.

Current Average Price Per Acre of Farmland in Iowa

The highest dollars per acre farm in Iowa that sold in the month of June went to a 37.75 acre development and tillable farm in Dallas County near Van Meter, IA which sold for $24,300 per acre on June 12th, 2024 by auction.

Even though as of 2022, 75% of Iowa farmland was owned by Iowans, 20% — about 6 million acres — belong to people who lived outside the state, up from 13% five years earlier, an Iowa State University survey shows.

While it is possible to generate enough income through farming 20 to 40 acres, in most cases folks approach this as a part-time venture. It is much better to select an income-producing idea that you enjoy and want to do even if no profit is realized.

Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time.

The Complaints of Farmers

First, farmers claimed that farm prices were falling and, as a consequence, so were their incomes. They generally blamed low prices on over-production. Second, farmers alleged that monopolistic railroads and grain elevators charged unfair prices for their services.

By 1900, most farmers used draft horses for hard labor. The 1,800 pound animals plowed the fields for corn and oats, planted the crops, cultivated the fields, brought in the hay crop, pulled wagons of field corn, hauled manure. Farms would not have been as successful without the aid of the horses.

What was the golden age in the 1900s? ›

What Was the Gilded Age? The Gilded Age, which roughly spanned the late 1870s to the early 1900s, was a time of rapid industrialization, economic growth, and prosperity for the wealthy. It was also a time of exploitation and extreme poverty for the working class.

(DTN) -- The surge in Iowa farmland values slowed in 2023, but the continued climb set new records. On average, it cost $11,835 to buy an acre, according to Iowa State University's annual Land Value Survey. That's a 3.7% increase from 2022, but pales in comparison to the 17% gain in 2022 or the 29% increase in 2021.

Land in Southern Iowa also saw a large increase in land values from 2022 to 2023. Land investors are seeking “fixer-upper” farms in this area. Limited supply across the state is one of the issues supporting values. Working capital, good commodity prices, and higher-than-expected yields helped, as well.

How much does a Farmer make in Iowa? As of Sep 8, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Farmer in Iowa is $19.56 an hour.