As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, agriculture continues to be recognized as a foundation of the nation's growth and economy. Retired Smithsonian Institution curator Peter Liebhold says farming has been central to American commerce and enterprise since the country's earliest days.

Liebhold says one of the country's earliest debates centered on whether the United States should remain an agricultural nation or shift toward an industrial economy. While industry expanded over time, agriculture continued to play a critical role by supplying food, supporting trade, and driving economic growth. Today, both agriculture and industry remain essential to the nation's economy, reflecting the balance that developed over more than two centuries.