The natural environment significantly influenced farmers' efforts to move to the Central and Great Plains in the 1870s and 1880s. One major factor was the climate and weather patterns of the region, which were often harsh and unpredictable. The Plains experienced periods of drought, which made it challenging to grow crops and maintain livestock.
Additionally, the region had a distinct lack of trees and water sources, which made it difficult for settlers to build shelter and access irrigation for farming. The soil composition, while fertile in some areas, required new farming techniques and tools, such as dryland farming methods, to be effective.
These environmental challenges affected farmers' yields and overall profitability, leading to struggles that contributed to the hardships faced by many settlers in the Great Plains during this time. Despite these challenges, many were drawn to the prospect of land ownership and opportunity, aided by government policies like the Homestead Act. However, the interplay between natural factors and agricultural practices ultimately shaped the success and sustainability of farming in the region.
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