Agricultural Societies had their beginning in New Brunswick in 1790, when Governor Thomas Carleton established the Saint John Agricultural Society. It was only in 1819 that a second society was formed in this province, the Charlotte County Agricultural Society in Saint Andrews. “In the mid-1820’s, agricultural and emigrant societies were established in Saint John, Westmorland and Northumberland Counties...” (White, page 21) Expansion continued in 1839, with agricultural societies established in Gloucester and Northumberland counties. Generally, agricultural societies were formed to encourage greater agricultural expansion and to end the need to import food. It was expected that increasing the number of farmers within the Province and improving their methods would accomplish these goals.

In 1849, the provincial government invited Professor J.F.W. Johnston to visit New Brunswick and make a report. One outcome of Johnston's "Report on the Agricultural Capabilities of the Province of New Brunswick" (1849) was the establishment of a provincial agricultural society. This was the New Brunswick Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture, Home Manufactures and Commerce throughout the Province, formed in 1850 to unite the efforts of the local agricultural societies across the Province. In turn, those societies were expected to send financial support to the central society. Dr. James Robb played a "leading part in forming the Society" and became its "first president in 1850, and then for some years, its corresponding secretary." (Alfred Bailey) The most notable project of the Society was the Provincial Exhibition of 1852, which was modeled after the London Exhibition of 1851. For its design and construction, the Society called upon architect, Matthew Stead of Saint John. Unfortunately, the lifespan of the provincial Society was very brief.

A second outcome of Johnston's Report was the passing of "An Act of the Encouragement of Agriculture" (Chapter 38, Revised Statutes, 1854) which provided aid to Agricultural Societies, up to £200 annually to any District. These funds were to be used for the "encouragement or improvement of agriculture or manufactures" and a required a follow-up Report to the Provincial Secretary showing how the funds had been used.

With the failure of the NB Society in 1855, an investigation was held and its report led to the establishment of the Provincial Board of Agriculture in 1859. The local societies submitted returns, including statistics, suggestions, and recommendations as required by this new Board. In turn, the Board made rules and regulations for the governing of the local agricultural societies and exercised supervision and control over them.

In 1875, the Board of Agriculture was replaced by the Secretary of Agriculture. Finally, by Act 51 Victoria, chapter 3 (1888), the Department of Agriculture was formed. The duty of administering the Department was mandated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to a member of the executive, the head of either the Department of the Provincial Secretary, or of Public Works, or of Crown Lands, who in addition to his other duties, presided over the Department of Agriculture as its Commissioner. The Commissioner's position was not paid. In 1913, a Minister of Agriculture was appointed.

Sources: John D. White, “Speed the Plough: Agricultural Societies in Pre-Confederation
New Brunswick (MA Thesis, UNB, 1976)
"James Robb" by Alfred G. Bailey in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, volume ix, pp. 665-667
"Matthew Stead" in Music of the Eye by Gary K. Hughes (1992)