Why did farming not take place west of the Great Lakes?

Farming did not take place west of the Great Lakes primarily due to the region's challenging climate and geography. The area is characterized by uneven terrain, dense forests, and poor soil quality, which made large-scale agriculture difficult. Additionally, the shorter growing seasons and colder temperatures limited the types of crops that could be successfully cultivated. As a result, Indigenous peoples in this region often relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering rather than farming.