Politics and Farming

Martin Van Buren’s political life and his experience as a gentleman farmer are sometimes treated separately, but they were deeply interconnected. His dedication to progressive farming practices were tied to his belief in free soil and his attempts to illustrate that land on the East Coast was still viable for cultivation.

 

Staff and volunteers add compost to amend the soil during the orchard planting.

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Orchard Project at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

In early April 2024, NPS staff and volunteers planted 81 fruit trees in the north orchard at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site. The orchard rehabilitation project was designed to reflect the historic varieties and layout, consider contemporary orchard management practices, and respect sensitive archeology. The planting is the result of many years of planning, consultation, and preparation. As it grows, the orchard will represent the agricultural history of the site.

 

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Farming and the Forever Business:

Martin Van Buren was a progressive farmer for the mid-nineteenth century, and his personal and political identities were intricately tied to the land. Food insecurity and climate change are increasing threats to sustainable agriculture, making the preservation of land and soil a conversation at the forefront of public land management.