Progressive Reform: Morrill Land Grant Act of 1890
-
Students get a hands-on lesson in large animal techniques from Dr. Frank Lochner, professor of veterinary science at Fort Valley State University.
Courtesy of Communications Department, College of Agriculture, Home Economics and Allied Programs, Fort Valley State University, New Georgia Encyclopedia.
-
Historical marker documenting Savannah State College as an original land grant institution.
Courtesy of Digital Library of Georgia, Georgia Historical Markers.
The Land Grant Act of 1862, also known as the Morrill Act, gave land to states for the establishment of colleges that specialized in agriculture and the mechanic arts. For each congressional seat, a state received 30,000 acres. In 1890 a second act was passed to support land grant institutions. This new act granted cash instead of land, and helped establish a number of historically Black colleges and universities, including Fort Valley State and Savannah State University.