History
In 1887, an English-born printer named Albert Molineux suggested establishing an Agricultural Bureau in South Australia.
Molineux had recognised the need for an organisation that could help in the education of primary producers and let them to come together to discuss farming issues.
On 27 February 1888, the Government adopted his suggestion and the inaugural meeting of the Central Agricultural Bureau of South Australia was held on 10 April 1888.
The Central Agricultural Bureau was the precursor to the Advisory Board of Agriculture, the present-day governing body of the Bureau. Set up to advise the Minister of Agriculture on farming matters and to act as a board of control for the Agricultural Bureau of SA, the Central Bureau had 10 members.
There had been a number of local agricultural associations and farmers’ clubs in South Australia since soon after settlement in 1836. When the Central Agricultural Bureau was created, it set about encouraging the establishment of local Bureau Branches.
In its first 12 months, it had supported the founding of branches in a dozen rural areas, including Mannum, Millicent, Nuriootpa, Stansbury, Burra and Gumeracha.Gumeracha, Millicent and Nuriootpa (now known as Angaston) are all still operating and are just three of about 100 active branches across the state with nearly 2000 members.
The Agricultural Bureau has a proud history in South Australia, contributing to the distribution of technology and expertise among farmers in the state for nearly 120 years.
