Alsfeld tilling the soil!The “Ackerbauschule” is founded

Agriculture – for many centuries this was a traditional trade characterized by practical experience, until the question of founding an agricultural school was discussed for the first time in October 1865 at the general meeting of the Alsfeld District Agricultural Association. New scientific knowledge was also to be made available to farmers.

Financial considerations initially prevented the idea from being implemented quickly. Seven more years had passed when the “Äckerbauschule” could be ceremoniously opened on November 4, 1872. 23 students began classes in the upper rooms of the former Hartmann’s house, today the “Kartoffelsack” (potato sack) in the former Hotel Ratseck behind the town hall.

Shortly thereafter, the school moved to the city’s wedding hall for the next 40 years. From 1912 onwards, the old Realschule in Schnepfenhain served as the school building. The modern era of the agricultural school began with the new building erected in 1952 on the upper Marburger Straße.

After many name changes in the meantime – for a while it was called “Agricultural Winter School” – today’s name is “Office for Economy and Rural Areas”. NH