I need to come up with 3 questions to ask farmers about new machinery and farming techniques that helped them farm the Great Plains. I know the new machinery: a plow that made several furrows at once. Harrows, equipped with spring teeth to dislodge debris and break up the ground before planting, and automatic drills to spread grain. Steam-powered threshers, and corn huskers. But I have no idea what questions to come up with... any help?
How many more acres can you work now?
Has your crop yield improved?
Is the extra cost worth it?
How much does this machinery cost? Assuming money was borrowed from the bank to buy it all, how do the loan payments compare with the monthly payments to the bank for the farm land and the house and barn?
Does the cost of this equipment force you to buy a much bigger farm than you wish to work to make enough money to buy the machinery? Can you make arrangements to share the machinery with neighbors and thereby avoid converging to just a few farmers but gigantic farms?
Does the type of machinery depend on what crop you are growing? If so does that encourage you to just grow one kind of crop instead of different crops for different purposes and seasons?
If you break the original grass with the plow and harrow, will the soil not erode in any rain in a rainy spell or even wind in dry weather?
B the way, I am from a fishing port, not a farm country, but thinking about this, our problems are very similar.
Thank you guys.
You are welcome ;)
Of course, I'd be happy to help you come up with some questions to ask farmers about new machinery and farming techniques that helped them farm the Great Plains. Here are three potential questions:
1. How did the introduction of the new plow, harrows, and automatic drills affect your efficiency and productivity in farming the Great Plains?
Explanation: This question focuses on the impact of the specific machinery you mentioned on farmers' ability to farm the Great Plains more effectively. You can ask the farmers about the changes they experienced in terms of efficiency, productivity, and possibly reduced labor requirements.
2. Can you describe how the steam-powered threshers and corn huskers revolutionized the harvesting process on the Great Plains?
Explanation: This question explores how the introduction of steam-powered threshers and corn huskers transformed the harvesting process. By asking the farmers to describe the specific changes brought about by these machines, you can gain insights into their benefits and the resulting impact on farming techniques.
3. In what ways did the new machinery and farming techniques help overcome the challenges of farming the Great Plains, such as the harsh climate and tough soil conditions?
Explanation: This question focuses on understanding how the new machinery and farming techniques addressed the specific challenges faced by farmers on the Great Plains. By discussing these challenges and how the technology helped mitigate them, you can gather valuable information about the advantages these advancements brought to farmers.
Remember, when conducting interviews, it's important to actively listen to the farmers' responses and ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into their experiences and insights.