Why did farmers of the 1880s have to buy food from merchants?

Farmers of the 1880s often had to buy food from merchants due to a combination of factors, including crop failures and fluctuating prices that made it difficult to grow enough food for their families. Additionally, many farmers were in debt and focused on cash crops, leaving them reliant on merchants for staple goods. The expansion of railroads also changed local economies, making it easier for merchants to supply food and goods from distant markets, further entrenching farmers in a cycle of dependency. This reliance on merchants often left farmers vulnerable to price manipulation and economic instability.