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Soil,
Seed, Success. DeKalb County Farm Bureau’s Centennial Journey
can be defined by these three words. The organization’s founding
principles were to improve the tilth of the soil and crop production. In
time the organization progressed by establishing business ventures,
including laying the groundwork for an enterprising company to produce
hybrid seed. Finally, the organization’s success can be duly noted
through the designation as being one of the top county Farm Bureau’s in
the state.
Early
Beginnings. A group of
progressive farmers, bankers and newspapermen lead the crusade to form an
agricultural organization, the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association
(forerunner to Farm Bureau) dedicated to improving soil and producing
better crops. The organization
was chartered in March, 1912 and a few months later a farm adviser was
hired to help farmers improve their farming practices.
The local community embraced this new organization
recognizing that as farms prospered so did the economy.
In the early years, the organization made great strides.
In June, 1917 the Soil Improvement Association created a separate
corporation for commercial enterprises, the DeKalb County Agricultural
Association. In 1926 the name
of the Soil Improvement Association was changed to DeKalb County Farm
Bureau.
Moving
Forward. Today, DeKalb County Farm Bureau is the premier
agricultural organization in the county that boasts a membership of 6,500
members. Focus areas are: farm business, legislative and local affairs,
agricultural literacy, information and education. Farm Bureau serves both
rural and city people who are interested in the well-being of agriculture.
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