The History of Fresh Produce

The Sullivan Expedition: Genocide and War on Native Crops


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In the shadow of revolution, a campaign of quiet devastation unfolded. While Washington’s Continental Army fought British redcoats along the eastern seaboard, a very different war was being waged in the lush valleys of upstate New York. It was not a war for cities or forts but for orchards, granaries, and the very soil beneath Seneca feet.

Join John and Patrick as they unearth the harrowing truth behind the Sullivan Expedition - a scorched-earth campaign ordered by George Washington to annihilate the agricultural heartland of the Iroquois Confederacy.

With orders to destroy not only villages, but entire food systems, Sullivan’s army marched north to break the back of Indigenous resistance. What followed was less a battle than a deliberate erasure: orchards axed, cornfields torched, entire towns razed in cheerful efficiency.

From the diplomatic genius and agricultural brilliance of the Seneca people to the haunting final stand at Genesee Castle, this is the story of America’s first total war - a war not just against a people, but against their ability to survive.

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In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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The History of Fresh ProduceBy The Produce Industry Network

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