WANTED: Photos of Utah’s agricultural history

Jul 10, 2015

Photo collection will be displayed

The saying that pictures are worth a thousand words is certainly true. Pictures can also be worth countless memories. As a result, the Utah Department of Agriculture is trying to find old photos of farm life in the state.

"This is a major effort to record the beginnings of our state’s agriculture industry, as well as the many accomplishments through the decades,” said Agriculture Commissioner LuAnn Adams. “I don't know of any group or individual that has documented our agriculture industry through the ages. This will be a first."

The Department of Agriculture is encouraging citizens to submit photos that detail the state’s agricultural progress from the earliest pioneers to today’s agricultural innovations.

Photo collection

The photos will be displayed at the Department of Agriculture and Food’s building – 350 North Redwood Rd., Salt Lake City.

Here are some things in Utah’s agricultural history that could make for great photos:

March 8, 1888, the Agricultural College of Utah is founded. Vendla Bernston becomes the school’s first student two years later at age 14
Utah’s top commodity is hay
Utah’s nickname is the Beehive State
Today’s Utah farmers practice soil and water conservation
Utah native Ezra Taft Benson served as Secretary of Agriculture during President Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency

Anybody with photos they want to share are encouraged to send copies to the Department of Agriculture. Photos chosen for display will be accompanied by the family’s contribution.

Join the conversation and tell us what pictures would best capture Utah’s agricultural history.