Agriculture & Industry in New England

Today is my second-to-last day of my trip to New England. Winston decided that he would help me truly experience life in a New England; he and I went to the Boston port today!

As I learned during my visit, cod is a major export of New England. Well, I certainly knew when we had arrived at the bustling port: the smell was extremely pungent! We walked around the docks, quietly observing the hustle and bustle. Crates of cod were being loaded onto ships that were to sail to England; Winston told me. He said that fishing has become an extremely prominent and successful industry in New England.

Cod!

On the journey back to Winston’s community, we discussed how New England had many small family farms that are physically close together. The colonists of New England are subsistence farmers. Winston told me that their trade was rapidly increasing and improving, also.

But the climate of the region heavily influences agriculture and industry, too. The cruelly cold winters thwart growth after the regular growing season. These challenges encourage diversified farming, Winston said.

After learning about agriculture and industry in New England, of course I compared it to agriculture and industry in Virginia. In Jamestown, we grow tobacco and rice as cash crops; to make a profit. The Chesapeake is extremely successful in tobacco cultivation. It is constantly being grown and exported. My father works on a tobacco plantation, like most of my friends’ fathers. The agriculture and industry in Virginia and the rest of the South revolves around cash crops, primarily tobacco, rice, and indigo.

Tobacco farming in Virginia

When I reflect, I like how New England has diverse agriculture and a unique industry. The trade is successful and progressive to daily life. In Virginia, it is solely based on creating profit. I admire New England for it’s distinctive and innovative agriculture and industry.