The Founding Fathers on American Agriculture (1)

As Idaho and the nation celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we look back at what some our founding fathers had to say about farming and agriculture nearly two and a half centuries ago.

Verbatim:

"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man." - George Washington

"Agriculture... is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals & happiness." - Thomas Jefferson

"The happiness of society is the end of government. Agriculture, commerce, and manufactures are the means by which the wealth of a nation is principally produced." – John Adams

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." - George Washington

"Agriculture is the first in utility, and ought to be the first in respect. The same artificial means which have been used to produce a competition to learning, may be equally successful in restoring agriculture to its primary dignity in the eyes of men. It is a science of the very first order.” - Thomas Jefferson

"I love agriculture. I delight in the hardy labors of the farmer." – John Adams

“The more I am acquainted with agriculture affairs the better I am pleased with them.” - George Washington

"I begin now to think all time lost that is not employed in farming." – John Adams

"I shall always be happy to give and receive communications on improvement in farming and the various branches of agriculture. This is, in my opinion, an object of infinite importance to the Country.” - George Washington

"Nothing is more pleasing than the cultivation of the earth." – John Adams

“I’d rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” - George Washington

"Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds. As long, therefore, as they can find employment in this line, I would not convert them into mariners, artisans, or anything else." - Thomas Jefferson

"We ought to remain an agricultural people for ages yet to come.” - George Washington