Board of Agriculture (1793–1822) facts for kids
The Board of Agriculture was a special group in Britain. It started in 1793 to help make farming better. Its full name was the Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement. This group had the support of the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger. It was created by Sir John Sinclair at the start of the French Revolutionary Wars. The idea for it came from William Marshall in 1790.
How the Board of Agriculture Started
The Board of Agriculture began on August 23, 1793. It received a special permission called a Royal Charter. This charter allowed it to be a society for encouraging farming and other improvements. The group hoped to become an official government department. However, it remained a private society. Its main goal was to share helpful farming knowledge. It also encouraged new and better ways of farming.
The first president of the Board was Sir John Sinclair. Arthur Young was the secretary. The British Parliament gave the Board £3,000 each year to help with its work. The Board of Agriculture continued its work until June 1822, when it was closed down.
What the Board of Agriculture Did
The Board of Agriculture worked on several important projects. Sir John Sinclair first wanted to survey every parish in England. This was similar to a big study he did in Scotland. However, this plan was stopped by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Instead, the Board successfully created many county reports. These reports are now known as the General Views of Agriculture. They described farming practices in different areas. The Board also tried to encourage agricultural shows. These shows helped farmers learn from each other. They also offered special prizes for good farming ideas. The Board even held two livestock shows in London in 1821 and 1822.
In 1820, the government stopped giving money to the Board. Without this funding, the Board struggled. After two years, it did not have enough money from private donations. Because of this, the Board of Agriculture was closed down in 1822.
Leaders of the Board
Many important people served as leaders of the Board of Agriculture.
- Sir John Sinclair was the first president.
- In 1798, John Southey Somerville, 15th Lord Somerville became president. He had the support of Prime Minister Pitt.
- John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield was president from 1803 to 1806.
- Sir John Sinclair then returned as president until 1813.
- From 1816 to 1818, George Parker, 4th Earl of Macclesfield served as president.
