Local Geography:Changes in Wright County

1850 to the Present

Grade 8Buffalo Community Middle School

Fall 2009

Changes in Wright County 1850 to the Present

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities

The “Big Woods”

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities

“Big Woods” gone

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities

“Big Woods” gone

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

Prairies gone

Land increasingly devoted to residential developments

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities

“Big Woods” gone

Prairies gone

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

Land increasingly devoted to residential developments

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities

“Big Woods” gonePrairies goneLand increasingly devoted to residential developments

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

2) Technology (mechanization) has dramatically changed county agriculture

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities“Big Woods” gonePrairies goneLand increasingly devoted to residential developments

2) Technology (mechanization) has dramatically changed county agriculture

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

Less than 10% of residents employed in agriculture

Number of Wright County Farms

0500

10001500200025003000350040004500

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

# of Farms

1935 1940 1945 1950 1954 1959 1964 1969 1973 1997 2002

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities“Big Woods” gonePrairies goneLand increasingly devoted to residential developments

2) Technology (mechanization) has dramatically changed county agriculture Less than 10% of residents employed in agriculture

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

Fewer farms than in the past

1) Natural environment drastically altered by human activities“Big Woods” gonePrairies goneLand increasingly devoted to residential developments

2) Technology (mechanization) has dramatically changed county agriculture Less than 10% of residents employed in agriculture Fewer farms than in the past, but farms are larger

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

Less land devoted to farming than ever before

3) County’s agricultural products have changed over timeAlmost no spring wheat is grown

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

3) County’s agricultural products changed over time

Almost no spring wheat is grown

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

While dairy farming is still important it’s less so than in the past

Howard Lake has the only creamery left in the county

Farmers have shifted to corn

Soybeans

… and Beef Cattle

3) County’s agricultural products have changed over time

Almost no spring wheat is grown

While dairy farming is still important it’s less so than in the past

Howard Lake has the only creamery left in the county

Changes in Wright County1850 to the Present

Most farmers have shifted to corn, soybeans and livestock