Why did Kentucky West Virginia and Maryland have less tenant farming and sharecropping?

Answer 1

Kentucky, West Virginia, and Maryland had less tenant farming and sharecropping primarily due to their more diverse economies and the presence of small farms that were often owner-operated rather than reliant on large plantations. In these states, the geography and local agricultural practices allowed for a mix of crops and livestock, reducing the dependency on a labor system that characterized the Deep South. Additionally, the historical context, including less severe economic conditions and different labor demands, contributed to a lower prevalence of these systems compared to other southern states.