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Then and Now: The Power of Agriculture

By Nancy McNiff, USDA Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
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Man on horse-driven plow, contour farming during the Dust Bowl

NRCS is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. We’d like to hear your stories and see photos of your operation – Then and Now. Do you have photos of your operation from its beginnings to the present day? If so, we want to hear from you!

NRCS is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. We began our celebration by posting a blog and an interactive timeline about NRCS history and a video about how we’ve helped farmers over the years. We’ve also been sharing some historical photos on social media that show how our mission has changed and stayed the same over the years.

Now, we’d like for you to join us in our celebration. We’d like to hear your stories and see photos of your operation – Then and Now.

Does your agricultural operation have a fascinating history you’d like to share? Are there interesting stories about how your operation came to be or how it’s evolved? Do you have photos of your operation from its beginnings to the present day? If so, we want to hear from you!

Early use of contour farming, circa 1930s.
Early use of contour farming, circa 1930s.


Agriculture and conservation practices have changed a lot over the years. Advanced equipment and new technologies have made agriculture and conservation practices more precise and efficient. We’ve progressed from mule or horse-drawn plows to tractors, combines, and other high-tech machines – reducing manual labor and increasing productivity.

Modern use of contour farming
Modern use of contour farming. 

Farm employment and farms have also changed over time. Many years ago, farming used to be the dominant occupation in the United States. Now, it makes up less than 2% of the nation’s workforce. Farms have also become much larger and more specialized than they used to be.

Even with all these changes over the years, America remains a nation sustained by agriculture and family farms. Family farms make up 86% of all farms that feed, fuel, and clothe us and keep our small towns and rural communities alive.  

This summer, we want to highlight how things have changed on your operation over the years in our #ThenAndNow campaign on NRCS and FarmersGov social media.

Here’s how to participate:

  • Find a few historical photos of your operation from when it began - Then.
  • Using your smartphone or digital camera, take photos of your operation - Now.
  • In a few sentences, tell us: how has your operation changed over the years? How has it expanded, modernized equipment and practices, or transformed with conservation?
  • Include your name, the location of your operation, and links to any social media accounts you manage to promote your operation.
  • Submit the above to  SM.FPAC.NRCS.Facebook@usda.gov by Friday, August 1, 2025.

Please note that by submitting your photo/video, you are granting USDA permission to use these materials for outreach and education purposes.

Follow NRCS on X and Facebook, and FarmersGov on Facebook, X , and Instagram. We look forward to seeing and sharing your stories!

Additional Resources

Nancy McNiff is a public affairs specialist with USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.