The North produced most of the steel for the US and European markets. Farmers in the Northern states engaged in the production of

corn, beans, and squash.

Explanation:

As a result of unfavorable climate and environmental factors such as weather, and topography that barely supports agricultural practices, the Farmers in the Northern states engaged in the production of crops that can only feed their families but not enough for commercial sales such as exportation to Europe.

The food crops cultivated and harvested by the farmers in the northern states of the US are corn, beans, and squash.