Colonial Spanish agriculture (1565-1764), British agriculture (1764-1784)
and the return of Spanish agriculture after the American Revolution
(1784-1821) preceded the American experience, begun in 1821 when Florida
was acquired as a territory of the United States. Statehood was achieved
in 1845 at a time when a handful of antebellum plantations slowly
spread throughout northern and north central Florida, and agriculture,
citrus, cattle and naval stores were major economic resources for
the new State. Nevertheless, the Seminole Wars, Civil War, Reconstruction
took a toll on the State’s development. Agricultural literature for
this period is sparse and did not become significant until formal
agricultural experimentation began at the State’s land grant colleges.
The first land grant college was established in 1884 at Florida Agricultural
College, Lake City. A year later, in 1885, the Florida Constitution
created the Cabinet level position, Commissioner of Agriculture along
with an agency that evolved into the present Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). In 1891, a land grant college
for African-Americans was established at the State Normal College
for Colored Students (now Florida A&M University). Florida Agricultural
College, along with three others, became the University of Florida
in 1905 at Gainesville. The Agricultural Experiment Station, established
in 1888 at the Florida Agricultural College, was transferred along
with the College to the University of Florida. An Agricultural Extension
Service was established in 1915. University agricultural programs
involving the College of Agriculture, Experiment Station and Extension
Service evolved into the present Institute of Food and Agricultural
Science (IFAS).
At the turn of the century 90% of the state's population was still rural and Florida's frontier-like character persisted well into the twentieth century. This changed significantly after World War II, which represents a watershed in agriculture and the application of engineering to solve everyday problems. In 1941 the UF Engineering and Industrial Experiment Station was established to assist in the development of Florida's agriculture, home life, and industry. It is this period of early agricultural development up to its modern changes (1820-1945) and the early development of engineered solutions to Florida's needs (1933-1970s) that is documented in these collections. Included are a bibliography, full-text copies of IFAS, FDACS, and EIES publications (not all series have been converted, but will become available over time), and photographs.
Bibliography
Citations of published books, journals, reports, IFAS documents and
FDACS documents covering Florida agriculture and rural life between
1820-1945.
Publications
IFAS / FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Annual
Reports summarize research projects and provides administrative information
on departments, staff, facilities and budgets.
Bulletins provide research reports on specific crops, animal husbandry,
diseases, and other experiments conducted by Station staff.
Press Bulletins contain practical information for farmers on farming
problems, crop growing and animal care.
IFAS / FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE
Annual Reports review extension
programs in farm economics/management, agricultural engineering, animal husbandry,
4-H work, soil/water conservation, food/nutrition, rural health, home demonstration
projects, and African American demonstration projects.
Bulletins provide information on specific topics of interest to farmers.
Circulars contain brief summaries on specific subjects of interest
to farmers.
Miscellaneous Publications contain informational notes on matters
affecting farmers.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Annual / Biennial
Report provide departmental reports and administrative information
on agriculture, as well as other areas of responsibility that have
been assigned to the department over the years (including land management,
prisons, immigration, etc.).
Bulletins report on research covering specific subjects. Various divisions
also issued their own Bulletins (including the State Plant Board,
State Chemist, Agricultural Inspectors, State Farmers Markets, etc.)
UF ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Bulletins provide
extensive information on engineering research.
Leaflets provide brief information on engineering research.
Technical Progress Reports have extensive reviews of engineering projects.
Florida Engineering News contain information on the work and history
of various engineering laboratories at the University of Florida.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs of rural Florida will be provided from several
collections
Related sites:
Institute of Food and Agricultural Science
Agricultural Experiment Station
Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Florida A&M University Agriculture Program
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
University of Florida, College of Engineering
Florida Agricultural History
Introduction
Ida Cresap’s The History of Florida Agriculture: The Early Era
USDA History Collection
NAL Guide to Historical Research
Center for Agricultural History. Agricultural History and Rural Studies
Links