Chapter 9: Curricula for The Country: Farmers’ Institutes in Indiana, 1890–1910

What are Farmers’ institutes? Why do they matter? From the 1880s to the 1910s, Farmers’ institutes were widespread nationally, co-sponsored by landgrant universities, experiment stations, and local Farmers’ associations. Today, they are almost forgotten. Through a case study of Indiana, this paper reveals Farmers’ institutes’ formation, institutional design, and curricula. In doing so, it offers sightlines into significant aspects of education and learning in the Progressive Era.