How did farms produce power before electric lines were installed in rural areas?

Before the installation of electric lines in rural areas, farms produced power primarily through mechanical means such as windmills, waterwheels, and steam engines. Windmills were commonly used to pump water and could also drive machinery, while waterwheels harnessed the energy from flowing water for similar purposes. Additionally, some farms utilized small-scale steam engines to generate power for equipment and tools. These methods allowed farms to operate independently and efficiently without reliance on centralized electricity.