site.btaDecember 13, 1879: Ruse Institute of Agriculture and Seeds Established

The Institute of Agriculture and Seeds was established near Ruse 145 years ago Friday. It was named "Obraztsov chiflik", or Model Farm, and existed as a stand-alone research unit until 1962.

The history of the institute dates back to December 13, 1879, when, by Decree 374 of Prince Alexander I, the state agricultural experimental farm "Obraztsov Chiflik" was established as a practical school (now Vocational High School of Agriculture - Obraztsov Chiflik). By Decree 448 of Prince Alexander I, dated June 20, 1883, the school became a secondary agricultural school with a three-year course of study. In 1887, the first botanical garden was created at the experimental field adjacent to the school, where several new agricultural crops were tested. On March 9, 1905, the Agricultural Experimental Station was established, which was renamed the Comprehensive Experimental Station in 1960. By Government Decree 149, dated September 6, 1962, it was transformed into the Agricultural Scientific Research Institute (now the Obraztsov Chiflik Institute of Agriculture and Seed Science in Ruse, within the structure of the Agricultural Academy).