George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist who helped revolutionize farming in the southern United States.

George Washington Carver was born into slavery in the early 1860s, but he overcame tremendous odds to become one of the most celebrated scientists and educators of his time. Carver’s research into alternative crops to cotton, such as peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes, helped to rejuvenate the South’s soil which suffered from years of redepleted nutrients due to the cotton monoculture.

Educated at Iowa State Agricultural College, Carver became the first African American to receive a Bachelor of Science degree there. He later joined the Tuskegee Institute, where he conducted most of his research and outreach work. Carver's innovative ideas in promoting crop rotation and creating hundreds of products from peanuts including dyes, plastics, and gas, highlighted the potential of sustainable agriculture.

A noted inventor and educator, Carver also advocated for racial harmony and was frequently invited to speak on topics of race and innovation. His robust approach not only improved the lives of many Southern farmers but also set an example of sustainable agricultural practices that are referenced and used globally today.

For more on Carver's contributions and methodologies, consider visiting the George Washington Carver National Monument.