Since its start in 1837, John Deere has been the major manufacturer of moldboard plows. But that came to a halt in February of this year as the company’s last plow, a six-bottom unit with a price tag of $67,000, rolled off the Deere assembly line.

An ancestor of the Leroy Bupp’s family likely started farming the land in Seven Valleys, Pa. Bupp currently farms on acres that were originally farmed around the time the 13 colonies declared independence from Britain. Of course, much has changed over the years.

As no-till farming celebrates its 50th year in the U.S., it’s important to remember how its acceptance and growth came about.