Board of Agriculture (1793–1822) facts for kids
The Board of Agriculture was a group in Britain that started in 1793. Its main goal was to make farming better and help improve the country. It was also known as the Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement. This group had the support of the Prime Minister at the time, William Pitt the younger. It was created by Sir John Sinclair when the French Revolutionary Wars were just beginning.
Starting the Board of Agriculture
The Board of Agriculture was officially started on August 23, 1793. It was given a special permission called a Royal Charter. The group's full name was the Board or Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture and Internal Improvement. It stopped operating in June 1822.
Even though some people hoped it would become a government department, it stayed a private group. Its main job was to share helpful information and encourage new ways of farming. Sir John Sinclair was the first president. Arthur Young was the secretary. The British Parliament gave the Board about £3,000 each year to help with its work.
What the Board Did
Sir John Sinclair first wanted to survey every local area in England. This was similar to a big report he had made for Scotland. However, this plan did not happen.
The Board was very successful in creating many reports about farming in different counties. These reports are now known as the General Views of Agriculture. They gave a lot of information about how farming was done across the country.
The Board also tried to encourage farming shows. They offered prizes for good farming practices. They even held two livestock shows in London in 1821 and 1822.
Leaders of the Board
Over the years, different people led the Board of Agriculture. In 1798, John Southey Somerville, 15th Lord Somerville became the president. He took over from Sir John Sinclair.
Later, from 1803 to 1806, John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield was the president. Sir John Sinclair then returned as president and served until 1813. From 1816 to 1818, George Parker, 4th Earl of Macclesfield was the president.
End of the Board
The government stopped giving money to the Board in 1820. After two years, the Board ran out of money from private donations. Because of this, the Board of Agriculture had to close down.
