Virginia Farm Bureau - ABCs of Agriculture -

Hello. And welcome again to the ABCs of agriculture. Today, we're at the map and I, Indian reservation in king William county, Virginia. Did you know that American Indians were our first farmers? In fact, agriculture has been a staple of the Indian economy and livelihood throughout the generations. In fact, the Indians of Central America and Mexico were engaged in agriculture 7000 years before Europeans settled in the present day United States. By AD 1000, American Indian farmers had developed a productive and complex agricultural system based on corn, beans and squash, which if commonly being referred to as the three sisters. American Indian farmers showed European settlers which plants to cultivate. Particularly corn, beans, pumpkins, and tobacco. And how to make maple sugar and prepare harmony. During Thanksgiving this year, I hope you will remember this significant contribution to agriculture that's been made by the American Indian. It's made our country's agriculture what it is today. For the ABCs of agriculture, I'm professor bray and we'll see you next month. If you're a teacher in grades K through 8 and would like more information on the agriculture in the classroom program, contact Tammy Maxie. At 804-290-1143 or check them out on the web at WWW dot ag in the class dot org