The Norfolk four-course crop rotation system was one of the most important developments of the British Agricultural Revolution. It focused on rotating which crops were grown in soil in order to help the soil retain nutrients and maximize fertility and growing power.

The British Agricultural Revolution took place between 1700 and 1800. During this time period, the introduction of new technologies meant that far fewer people were needed to work the fields in order to provide enough food for the population. This caused people to move from the countryside to cities in search of work, which in turn provided the raw labor required to drive the Industrial Revolution.