But people who are tired of moving from place to place or from job to job also speak wistfully of putting down roots. Some urbanites even buy farms or ranches when they retire. In fact, many movies stars and other very rich people own beautiful ranches. Few state mottoes rival North Dakota s Strength from the Land for sheer power. But U.S. citizens have largely forgotten their agricultural roots in contrast to many nations in South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Many national flags boast the color green, often as a symbol of agriculture or forests.
But Washington State claims the only green state flag. Largely red, white and blue, many state flags were adopted during the Civil War, a milestone in American history in more ways than one. Slavery was a major issue that led to the Civil War, and no one defended slavery more than cotton farmers. The war between the states pitted the largely industrialized North against the agricultural South, and industry won. Technology made great advances after the Civil War, increasing agricultural efficiency and production.