Final answer:
Farmers in colonial America often practiced subsistence farming, mainly in the New England colonies due to their harsher climate and rocky land. Subsistence farming was prevalent, but some regions also focused on cash crops, and advanced machinery was not yet in use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is assessing knowledge about the livelihood of farmers in colonial America. When analyzing the agricultural practices of the time, it is evident that regional differences were present due to varying geographic and climate conditions. Therefore, the farming practices varied from subsistence farms to cash crops, depending on the region.
In the New England colonies, where the soil was rocky and the winters were long, most farmers undertook subsistence farming, meaning they primarily grew crops for their own consumption rather than for trade or export. Middle colonies focused on a variety of crops and livestock, becoming leading producers of grains and also engaging in some local manufacturing of goods like flour and iron. The Chesapeake and Southern colonies specialized in cash crops like tobacco and, later, rice and indigo, contributing to the export trade. Despite regional differences, one common aspect was that the colonists never completely achieved self-sufficiency and imported many goods.
Considering this context, the statement, "They often practiced subsistence farming," aligns with the historical farming practices of the colonial era, particularly in the New England colonies, although it was not the exclusive method of farming in all regions. Advanced farming machinery wasn't introduced until later during the Industrial Revolution, and the extent of political influence varied among farmers.