Makers of Modern Agriculture

From the humble lanes of English countryside to bustling city offices, this collection brings to life the individuals whose curiosity and perseverance forged the foundation of today’s agriculture. The author weaves vivid portraits of men and women—often more at home in a library than a field—who introduced revolutionary practices, new machinery, and forward‑thinking ideas that reshaped farms worldwide. Listeners will discover how a blend of curiosity, courage, and occasional serendipity turned ordinary lives into turning points for food production.

The opening chapter follows Jothro Tull, a seventeenth‑century gentleman whose early ambitions pointed toward law and politics before ill health redirected him to the soil of Oxfordshire. Living on the fertile Howberry farm, Tull began to question traditional tillage methods, experimenting with new tools and techniques that hinted at the principles of dry‑farming. His restless observations and willingness to challenge convention set the tone for the inspiring stories that follow.