It’s no surprise that President Lincoln, a frontier farmer, transformed the American agricultural system by founding the Department of Agriculture and passing the Homestead Act.
But when you think of more recent Presidents, you might not expect to find a peanut farmer and a cattle rancher on the list. That’s why we’re highlighting a few modern-day Presidents who share our love of farming and ranching!
Lyndon Johnson
While in office, Lyndon Johnson always kept a close eye on his cattle in Texas. What started as a 250-acre ranch left to him by his widowed aunt became a 2,700-acre ranch that he still ran while in office. Johnson signed over 300 bills into law, benefitting environmental protection and resource conservation.
Jimmy Carter
Probably the most famous farming President, Carter grew up on his parent's peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. Carter took over the daily operations of the farm after his father passed in 1953. Soon after, he was able to turn the struggling farm around, and by his 1970 gubernatorial campaign, Carter was known as a successful peanut farmer.
Ronald Reagan
While Ronald Reagan wasn't a farmer, he owned and maintained a working horse ranch, even while serving as Commander in Chief. The Reagans frequently visited Rancho Del Cielo in California to indulge their love of horses and to escape the pressures of the White House.