Samuel Rourke

Agricultural Researcher & Regional Crop Historian

I'm a lifelong student of agricultural geography with a background in both contemporary farming and historical crop systems. I grew up in rural Kansas working on my family's diversified grain and hay operation, which sparked my curiosity about why different regions grow what they do—and how that's changed over centuries. Now I spend my time researching crop patterns across climates and time periods, helping students, farmers, and gardeners understand the "why" behind regional agriculture. When I'm not digging through agricultural records or soil science, I'm tending my own vegetable garden and exploring local farmers' markets to see what thrives where.