History of The Agricultural Education Society

            The first organization for agricultural students was formed in 1883 by W.S.  Deval, W.C. Mills, W.P. Bentley and Professor N.S.Townshend, then the only Professor of Agriculture at the college.  The organization was named, The Kirtland Agricultural Society,after his friend and co-laborer, Dr. Kirtland.  Interest and membership were high during the years that Professor Townshend and Lazenby were advisors, but when these men retired, students’ interest greatly diminished.

          In 1892, several energetic students, including H. H. Richardson, F. P. Stump, and F. W. Rane, called a meeting in the reading room of the Horticulture Building and formed the society known as, The Association of Agricultural Students. Charles W. Burket was elected president and during his term of office, the association, the students, and the university benefited greatly.  Attendance jumped from four in 1893 to 90 in 1895.

          In 1895, R. W. Dunlap was elected president.  During his term the organization became so successful that it outgrew its constitution.  It was decided that the name, Association of Agricultural Students, meant too little.  Therefore it was changed to, The Townshend Agricultural Society, in honor of Dr. N.S. Townshend.

          Meetings of the Society previous to this period were held in University Hall and the Horticulture Building.  Townshend Hall was built in 1898, soon after it became home for the society.  During this time period, the organization again went under another name change and became, The Townshend Literary Society. This allowed anyone in the University membership.

          Although most of the members were agricultural students, this left the agricultural college without an organization strictly of agricultural men.  In 1904, a new association was formed which took the old name, Townshend Agricultural Society.  Rivalry between these two organizations interfered with growth, and as a result, neither was as prosperous as they might have otherwise been.

          In 1916, a movement was started to merge the two societies, a joint meeting of the two societies was held.  On May 27, 1916, the two societies were officially united under the name of, Townshend Agricultural Society.

          As the college expanded from year to year, more departments came into existence, which brought about more student organizations.  This created a complex problem for the Townshend Agricultural Society because it was not affiliated with any department of the College, thus depriving it of definite faculty guidance and support.

In 1926, Dean Alfred Vivian and Professor W.F. Stewart launched a new program for the Society.  The name was changed to, Townshend Agricultural Education Society.  “Agricultural Education,” signified that the new Society was designed to serve the needs of men majoring in Agricultural Education and that the Society is affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Education.

Dynamic change came to the Townshend Agricultural Education Society beginning December 1963, and final revisions of the Society were made December 1964.  One of the main changes was that the name of the organization became the, Agricultural Education Society.  Other changes included the adoption of a new crest, new symbols, and new ceremonies.  During the past years, many aspects of the program have been reviewed and a few of the areas redefined.  Women members have been active in the society for a number of years, and the general operation continues to be dynamic and positive.