Since the agricultural transformation began in the United States, the United States only seemed to improve agriculturally. The Western Hemisphere was the first to progress towards this transformation, displaying the United States as a leader in agriculture. As stated by Dan Hillel in The Agricultural Transformation, "The Agricultural Transformation is very likely the most momentous turn in the progress of humankind The ability to raise crops and livestock, while resulting in a greater and more secure supply of food, definitely required attachment to controllable sections of land, and then brought about the growth of permanent settlements and of larger coordinated communities." Thus, this transformation ensured a supply of food and ended the need to roam about for food. This development was an important change in the structure of society, also a step in building a prestigious reputation as being a leader in agriculture. It gave United States a sense of organization and strength which indeed helped in its development. "Simply put, agriculture means raising things on purpose, and the American Indians were the first farmers in the Western Hemisphere," said by R. Douglas Hurt in the article Mesoamerican Origins. The American Indians (Mesoamericans) agriculture became more complex. They learned how to grow crops such as tomatoes, beans, and a wide variety of plants. They also learned other techniques such as clearing land and also irrigation. Because of their success, other Mesoamericans began to settle and also adopted their fellow Mesoamerican farming techniques. Agriculture became more and more popular and important that the white settlers also began to farm. Over time, as farming became more popular, the United States thrived on agriculture. It became an important issue especially to Thomas Jefferson. He was a key person in leading the agricultural development of the United States. Thomas Jefferson believed in agrarianism and thought highly of farmers.