State Board of Agriculture letterpress books

Series — Volume: State Board of Agriculture letterpress books, 1885-1889

Identifier: 1997-46

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The correspondence addresses such issues as board staffing, committee formation, the convening of meetings, the delineation of duties, relations with the state's agricultural societies as well as making arrangements for visits to various farms and other facilities for the purpose of compiling information on agricultural business practices. The correspondence also includes acknowledgement of receipt of payment for licences to conduct agriculture-related business in the state ( for example the sale of fertilizers and phosphates.)

Dates

1885-1889

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.

Biographical / Historical

Public Law 507 established the State Board of Agriculture in 1885. The legislation stated that the board was to "investigate subjects related to improvements in agriculture and horticulture. The legislation also authorized the board to accept donations and bequests for the purpose of "promoting agricultural education or the general interests of agriculture."

The board consisted of governor, secretary of state (ex officio) as well as others elected to the board, including representatives from the state's agricultural societies. It created an executive committee but, in its first years, it had no staff. From time to time the board engaged individuals such as entomologists and veterinarians to undertake certain projects on its behalf. The Board was replaced by the Department of Agriculture in 1927.