Nine out of ten Americans used to farm for a living. Today, fewer than two in a hundred do.

In this episode, Nick and Bridget travel through seven made-up (but historically grounded) American families to find out how that happened, from a Connecticut homestead in 1750 all the way to a GPS-guided Iowa combine today. Along the way: girdled trees, a locust swarm bigger than California, two very different Virginia farms in 1850, and the invention that made Wisconsin the Dairy State.

While chatting, we enjoyed a switchel while we chatted, a non-alcoholic cocktail that was called a "haymakers punch" for its superb flavor and hydration characteristics. It still tastes great today and you can make your own by following this recipe:

• 4 cups cold water
• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup or molasses)
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. ginger

This is "The Discussion" where Nick and Bridget talk about all of the fun facts Nick wrote out for this week's dispatch in a more casual and fun way.

If you want the whole story, either listen to "The Read" in this feed where Nick narrates the entire story, or read the Dispatch on our blog.

Read the full Dispatch here.

Watch on YouTube here.

You can find our hub with the written dispatches, book suggestions, and more at: amoreperfectplate.com

Please be sure to subscribe to keep discovering interesting American stories. We appreciate your support for this project.

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Nick & Bridget

Nine out of ten Americans used to farm for a living. Today, fewer than two in a hundred do.

In this Dispatch, we travel through seven made-up (but historically grounded) American families to find out how that happened, from a Connecticut homestead in 1750 all the way to a GPS-guided Iowa combine today. Along the way: girdled trees, a locust swarm bigger than California, two very different Virginia farms in 1850, and the invention that made Wisconsin the Dairy State.

This is "The Read" where Nick narrates the entire story to save you from reading it - but if you prefer reading, you can find the link to the blog post below!

On our companion episode, "The Discussion," Nick & co-host Bridget dive into the topic and talk about how this relates to our daily lives today!

Read the full dispatch here.

Watch on YouTube here.

You can find our hub with the written dispatches, book suggestions, and more at: amoreperfectplate.com

Please be sure to subscribe to keep discovering interesting American stories. We appreciate your support for this project.

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Nick & Bridget

We're celebrating America's 250th birthday with this 4th of July hot dog and hamburger episode!

This is "The Read" where Nick Nick narrates the entire story to save you from reading it - but if you prefer reading, you can find the link to the blog post below!

On our companion episode, "The Discussion," Nick & co-host Bridget dive into the topic with a bit of fun, including a hot dog contest of their own!

Now sit back and hear the whole story: the immigrant roots of the hot dog and the hamburger, why the "hot dog" name is a myth, the five-town fight over who invented the burger, and the 1906 scandal that changed American food for good.

LINKS

Read the full Dispatch

Watch on YouTube

Check Out The Whole Series

You can find our hub with the written dispatches, book suggestions, and more at: amoreperfectplate.com

Please be sure to subscribe to keep discovering interesting American stories. We appreciate your support for this project.

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Nick & Bridget