The Georgia State Agricultural Society was formed shortly after the Civil War during a meeting in Macon, Georgia. The society revived an earlier effort led by the Southern Central Agricultural Society, renamed the State Agricultural Society of Georgia in 1859. The society's object was to promote and diffuse agricultural, manufacturing, mechanical, and mining knowledge and stimulate interest in these areas. Officers such as president, vice-presidents, and secretary were elected annually. During the first meeting of the revived society three other organizations merged with it: the Cotton Planters' Convention, the Georgia Mechanical and Manufacturing Association, and the Georgia Immigration Society. In 1869, the society renewed the custom of an annual state agricultural fair with the first held in Macon, Georgia, where 50,000 people attended. Annual conventions were held in various Georgia cities where members met to exchange agricultural information and discuss developments in the field.