National Farmers' Union

National Farmers' Union Pewsey Vale, Calne and Devises Branches, Wiltshire

From the guide to the NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION PEWSEY VALE, CALNE AND DEVIZES BRANCHES, 1923 - 1980, (University of Reading, Museum of English Rural Life)

The National Farmers Union was formed in 1908. It developed from the Lincolnshire Farmers' Union which was founded by Colin Campbell. Membership was composed mainly of tenant farmers and so focused on their problems and interests. There had been previous attempts at setting up organisation to represent farmers such as the Farmers' Alliance in 1879 and the National Agricultural Union in the 1890's but these had not been a success. By 1913 the NFU had 20000 members and by 1935 this had increased to 120000. Membership reached its peak in the 1950's with 210000. The union opposed land nationalization but supported reforms in land tenure, which gave greater security to tenants.

From the guide to the NATIONAL FARMERS UNION COLLECTION, 1909-1946, (University of Reading, Museum of English Rural Life)