Final answer:
Farmers use rural roads to travel with their farm equipment, which includes machinery and vehicles that assist with farming tasks. The industrial revolution brought improved farm equipment and technology, resulting in an increase in farm sizes and a decline in small family farms. Today, modern farmers rely on the work of many individuals involved in the design, manufacture, and transportation of farm machinery and materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rural roads are often used by farmers to transport their farm equipment. Farm equipment includes machinery, tractors, and other vehicles that help with farming tasks such as plowing, planting, and harvesting. These roads are specifically designed to accommodate large and slow-moving vehicles, ensuring the safe passage of farm equipment.
For example, in the late 19th century, the arrival of a more extensive railroad network aided farmers by bringing much-needed supplies such as lumber for construction and new farm machinery. This improved farm production and allowed for the development of larger commercial farms known as 'bonanza farms.'
Today, modern farmers rely on the work of countless individuals involved in the design and manufacture of tractors and other machinery, as well as the transportation of materials to and from the farm. The use of farm equipment has had a significant impact on agriculture, making it more efficient but also affecting the environment due to the large investments in mechanized equipment powered mostly by fossil fuels. However, advancements in technology continue to improve farming practices and mitigate these impacts.