Lubin, David, 1849-1919

Founder and delegate of the International Institute of Agriculture in Rome.

Founder, International Institute of Agriculture, Rome.

Biographical Note

Historical Note

David Lubin, a merchant and farmer in Sacramento, created the idea of the International Institute of Agriculture (IIA). The institute's goals were to help farmers share knowledge, establish a cooperative system of rural credit, and control the marketing of farmers' products. In 1906, Lubin was appointed the permanent U.S. delegate to the IIA. In 1913 at the meeting of the IIA congress in Rome, Lubin received a Silver Cup Award for his efforts in establishing the organization. The IIA ceased its operations in 1945, when most of its assets were transferred to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The mandate of international cooperation in the field of agriculture is continued by the FAO, which named its library in honor of David Lubin. The David Lubin Elementary School is located a few blocks from the site of David Lubin's former home in Sacramento, California.