In 1860, a Rhode Island farmer earned $0.75–$1.00 per day (about $234–$313 per year), while farmland cost just $37 per acre. A hay fork cost $5, a mower was $100, and gold was $20.67 per ounce. Farmers worked long hours, battling droughts, pests, and unstable markets, all while paying land taxes.
Today, farmers earn $18–$30 per hour, but costs have surged. Farmland now averages $4,170 per acre nationwide and $22,000 in Rhode Island, the most expensive in the U.S. Equipment costs hundreds of thousands. While technology has improved efficiency, farming remains tough, requiring dedication and resilience.