Last year, they said, the department began an advertising campaign to seek a more diverse crop of applicants.
Once they recovered their health, the Reclamation settlers could grow a more genetically diverse crop and take care of themselves.
Instead of growing diverse crops, the typical farm now concentrates on one or two.
Volcanic soil, heavy rains and many altitude variations due to the mountains allow for the diverse crops.
The agricultural focus shifted to more diverse crops and livestock in the latter half of the 20th century.
Irrigation from the Murray and rich local soil has allowed for diverse crops.
A diverse crop and livestock system, the report said, enables farmers to protect themselves from cyclical swings in prices.
As Virginia tobacco rapidly gained popularity abroad, it became more difficult to encourage the production of diverse crops or other commodities in the colony.
The people who once lived there toiled in mines or cultivated diverse crops at various altitudes.
During 1870-1900 the region became one of general full-time small farm operations, with diverse crops and livestock.