Founding and Early Years
Massachusetts Agricultural College was founded in 1863 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Its mission was to provide practical education in agriculture and related fields. The college’s first classes were held in a converted barn, and its first students were primarily farmers and their sons.
In the early years, the college struggled financially and academically. However, it received a major boost in 1887 when it was designated as a land-grant institution under the Morrill Land-Grant Act. This designation provided the college with federal funding and land, which allowed it to expand its facilities and hire more faculty.
By the early 20th century, Massachusetts Agricultural College had become a major agricultural research institution. Its faculty made significant contributions to the development of new crops and farming methods, and its graduates went on to become leaders in the agricultural industry.
