Peanuts and George Washington Carver

This passage discusses scientist George Washington Carver and his influences on farming.

Lexile Level: 540L

Categories: People & Places Science & Technology

There once was a slave named George Washington Carver. He grew up to be a famous scientist. When he was a boy, he loved to take care of plants. He could nurse them back to health. He went on to teach about plants at an African American college. He helped Southern farmers. They had grown only cotton for many years. Cotton took nutrients out of the soil. Carver found out how to put nutrients back into the soil. He told farmers to plant peanuts. The peanuts fixed the soil. But people didn't know what to do with them. Carver saved the day again. He invented things that could be made out of peanuts like peanut paper and peanut soap. Peanuts are now a major crop in the United States. Carver changed farming in the South. Without him, kids would not have peanut butter sandwiches in their lunchboxes.