Primary Sources

A collection of agricultural texts published between the early nineteenth century and the middle to late twentieth century. Full-text materials cover agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal science, crops and their protection, food science, forestry, human nutrition, rural sociology, and soil science.

Explores over five centuries of primary source material documenting the story of food and drink. Includes printed and manuscript cookbooks, advertising ephemera, government reports, films and illustrated content sourced from across the globe to reflect a wide range of food cultures and traditions.
UT Library has access for modules 1 and 2.

Not a primary source, (this is a secondary source) this food timeline, from 17,000BC - 2013, details the origins of foods and recipes throughout history and regions, including when certain regions began to cook, what they ate, and lists recipes that were used in the past.

Collection of materials documenting the history of human ecology including varying resources pertaining to food. Also includes documents related to war, fashion, and homemaking.

This library is helpful for students that need more information on the available collections including Plant Inventory, Organic Roots, Historical Dietary Guidance, and more.

Handwritten cookbooks, circa 1600s-1960s, documenting culinary history in America and Europe and how tastes have changed over the years.

The collection includes promotional recipe pamphlets, published mainly by food and appliance manufacturers and trade associations. Dating from the late 19th century to the present, the advertising ephemera reflects the evolution of the modern American diet.

Tennessee Farm and Home Science is a quarterly progress report released by University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station from 1952-1994. This digital collection includes issues from 1952-1990. The publication’s primary focus is on agricultural research conducted at Experiment Stations across the state, but also features faculty spotlights and field day schedules, as well as news about Experiment Station personnel changes.

Tennessee Farm News is a series of weekly news releases published by the University of Tennessee Extension Service. It was published from 1918 through 1989, with several title variations over the years. Announcements cover historical crop yields, market prices, farm facts, and farm shows in the state, as well as home economics topics and 4-H club updates. Courses and agricultural development programs offered by the University of Tennessee are also frequently mentioned.

Virginia Pearl Moore was the first home demonstration agent in Tennessee. She worked to improve schools while also beginning home demonstration work, in particular organizing canning clubs for the young girls in these rural areas. Through canning clubs (sometimes called tomato clubs) girls learned to grow and can their own produce and, to show off what they had learned, hosted demonstrations for their friends and families, and entered competitions at county and state fairs.