North Dakota was still a brand-new state in January 1890. One of the first orders of business was a bill introduced in the state legislature to establish the North Dakota Agricultural College and Experimental Station. Plans moved quickly, and the bill was passed and signed by the governor in March. The college opened on January 3, 1892, with 123 students.
When the North Dakota Agricultural College opened, farmers and ranchers were initially skeptical about what “college boys” could do for them. Their attitude changed when they became familiar with the nine branch experimental stations located throughout the state. These stations conducted research related to North Dakota agriculture. Just as importantly, the “college boys” developed methods to get their findings directly to farmers and ranchers.
On this date in 1928, NDAC sponsored “Farmer’s Home Week.” The event, announced the previous December, was met with great enthusiasm. Agricultural experts from North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the federal Department of Agriculture were scheduled to speak on a variety of topics, including farm machinery, animal breeding, and cooperative marketing. The farm wife was not left out, with speakers addressing homemaking, sanitation, and feeding the farm family.
The week was a huge success. Hundreds of farmers and ranchers flocked to Fargo. Governor Walter Maddock and Governor-elect George Shafer were among the speakers. The schedule included evening banquets, lectures, and demonstrations. Topics went beyond livestock and traditional crops to include beekeeping, horse breeding, growing flowers, and finances. There were also sessions for homemakers and clubs for children.
The North Dakota Agricultural College eventually became North Dakota State University, which now spans 261 acres and has grown from 123 students to about 10,000. Agriculture remains at the heart of the school, and the Experimental Stations continue to share research findings with farmers and ranchers across the state. According to the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, “the goals are to find solutions and discover opportunities that enhance the quality of life, sustain food, feed, fiber and fuel production, and protect our heritage—the great land and resources of North Dakota.”
Dakota Datebook by Dr. Carole Butcher
Sources:
- Bismarck Tribune. “Program of Farmers’ Home Week at Agricultural College is Set.” Bismarck ND. 12/22/1928. Page 2.
- Bismarck Tribune. “Farm Week: A School.” Bismarck ND. 1/18/1929. Page 4.
- Bismarck Tribune. “Bankers to Study Short Farm Course During Fargo Week.” Bismarck ND. 12/28/1928. Page 2.
- North Dakota State University. “ND Agricultural Experiment Station.” https://www.ndsu.edu/agforlegislators/nd_agricultural_experiment_station/ Accessed 12/11/2024.
- State Historical Society of North Dakota. “Agricultural Experiment Station and Agricultural Research Extension Centers.” https://www.history.nd.gov/archives/stateagencies/agricextension.html Accessed 12/11/2024.
- US News. “North Dakota State University Overview.” https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/north-dakota-state-9265 Accessed 12/11/2024.
