The American Steppes
The Unexpected Russian Roots of Great Plains Agriculture, 1870s–1930s

Explores the transnational movements of people, plants, agricultural sciences, and techniques from Russia's steppes to North America's Great Plains.

David Moon (Author)

9781107103603, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 April 2020

352 pages, 1 b/w illus. 6 maps 1 table
23.6 x 16.1 x 3.1 cm, 0.78 kg

'the work is a masterpiece.' Royden Loewen, Journal of Mennonite Studies

Beginning in the 1870s, migrant groups from Russia's steppes settled in the similar environment of the Great Plains. Many were Mennonites. They brought plants, in particular grain and fodder crops, trees and shrubs, as well as weeds. Following their example, and drawing on the expertise of émigré Russian-Jewish scientists, the US Department of Agriculture introduced more plants, agricultural sciences, especially soil science; and methods of planting trees to shelter the land from the wind. By the 1930s, many of the grain varieties in the Great Plains had been imported from the steppes. The fertile soil was classified using the Russian term 'chernozem'. The US Forest Service was planting shelterbelts using techniques pioneered in the steppes. And, tumbling across the plains was an invasive weed from the steppes: tumbleweed. Based on archival research in the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, this book explores the unexpected Russian roots of Great Plains agriculture.

Introduction
Part I. Contexts: 1. Settlement
2. Barriers
3. Bridges
Part II. Transfers: 4. Wheat
5. Soil science I
6. Soil science II
7. Shelterbelts I
8. Shelterbelts II
9. Tumbleweed
Conclusion
List of archival collections cited
Index.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], History of the Americas [HBJK]