Final answer:
Agricultural innovations during the 1800s helped farmers on the Great Plains overcome economic challenges through the use of new gasoline-powered tools, improved machinery like plows, and economies of scale that allowed for increased efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1800s, innovations in agriculture played a crucial role in helping farmers overcome the economic challenges of farming on the Great Plains. The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in farming practices, including the introduction of new gasoline-powered farm tools such as tractors, seed drills, threshers, and combine harvesters. These advancements encouraged farmers to plant large, single-crop fields, aiming to maximize profits.
The expansion of the railroad network was instrumental in aiding farmers by transporting essential supplies, such as lumber and new machinery. Innovations in farm machinery, such as James Oliver's improved plow, meant that farmers could more effectively cultivate the challenging terrain of the Great Plains. Moreover, these technological advancements significantly increased farm production for those who could afford them.
Unfortunately, such developments also led to challenges, such as overproduction and environmental degradation. To cope with the subsequent economic hardships, farmers implemented economies of scale. This meant expanding production further to take full advantage of their available land and machinery, which often led to the removal of native grasses and exhaustive farming practices that could lead to soil degradation.