The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Traditional Croplands
Agricultural Gifts to the World
About 60 percent of the world's diet today is derived from Native American foods, such as potatoes, chilies, tomatoes, and even chocolate!
Native peoples encouraged the growth of various plants together (biodiversity), which promoted healthier crops. European colonists greatly impacted these diverse environments by raising crops one at a time, often a monoculture of corn or tobacco.
Native farmers mastered these revolutionary planting techniques:
✋ Companion planting maintains a balance of nutrients in the soil and prevents erosion by grouping various crops together.
✋ Seed selection is the practice of saving seeds from plants with desired traits for future use.
✋ Crop rotation helps restore the soil by planting different crops on a seasonal or annual basis.
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Native Americans.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.286′ N, 77° 0.992′ W. Marker was in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Traditional Croplands (here, next to this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: South (a few steps from this marker); Nora Naranjo-Morse (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern Meadow (within shouting distance of this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: North (within shouting distance of this marker); George Rivera (within shouting distance of this marker); National Native American Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 6 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
