Have you ever thought about what farming looked like thousands of years ago… before tractors, silos, and GPS-guided equipment? Early farmers didn’t have much, but they made it work with some pretty clever tools.
Let’s take a walk back in time and look at how the first farmers got their hands dirty (literally).
From Sticks to Stone Tools
Long before metal tools came along, early farmers used sticks and stones — yes, really. A simple digging stick was used to poke holes in the soil for planting seeds. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked.
Eventually, people started sharpening stones and attaching them to wood. These became the first hand hoes and stone axes, used for breaking soil, cutting roots, and clearing land.
Imagine farming a field with just a sharpened rock. Talk about hard work!
The First Plows
As people started farming larger plots, they needed something more efficient. Enter the ard, one of the earliest versions of a plow. It was a wooden frame dragged through the soil, usually by hand or with the help of an animal like an ox.
It didn’t turn the soil like modern plows do, but it loosened it just enough to make planting easier.
Sickles, Grinding Stones, and More
To harvest grain, early farmers used sickles — curved blades made from stone or metal. These were perfect for cutting down wheat, barley, and other crops by hand.
Once the grain was collected, it had to be processed. That’s where grinding stones came in. These simple tools were used to crush grain into flour, a task that often took hours a day.
Tools Grew as Farming Did
As civilizations grew, so did the tools. People discovered bronze and iron, which led to stronger hoes, plows, and scythes. Farming became faster and a little less back-breaking (though still plenty of work).
And eventually, as you probably know, we got to steam engines, tractors, combines, and the equipment we use today.
Why Does This Matter?
It’s easy to take modern farming for granted, but every tool we use today started with a simple idea: Make life a little easier and get more food on the table.
At our family farm, we may not be farming with sticks and stones anymore, but we sure appreciate how far agriculture has come. And we still hold onto the same values early farmers had… working the land, feeding families, and doing it with care.
Want to Learn More?
At Nadig Farms, we love sharing how our food gets from the farm to your table. Have a question? Reach out, we’re always happy to talk farming!
