Which group primarily represented smaller scale agricultural practices in North Carolina?

The choice of tobacco farmers as the group that primarily represented smaller scale agricultural practices in North Carolina is correct due to the historical context of tobacco cultivation in the region. During the colonial period, tobacco emerged as a cash crop that was well-suited to the climate and soil of North Carolina, particularly in areas such as the Piedmont and the coastal plain.

Unlike rice cultivation, which often required large plantations and significant investment in infrastructure and labor, tobacco could be cultivated on smaller plots. This allowed individual farmers and smaller landholders to engage in its production, making it accessible to those without the resources to manage larger agricultural operations. The proliferation of tobacco farming contributed to the economy and culture of North Carolina, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, as it became a staple for trade and export.

Additionally, while cotton farmers, rice planters, and wheat cultivators were prominent in other regions or specific contexts, their practices often involved larger scale operations that did not align as closely with the smaller scale agricultural movements characteristic of North Carolina during this period. Thus, the prominence of tobacco farmers in representing smaller scale farming practices in North Carolina is well-founded in the agricultural history of the region.