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Roots of Formation
In January of 1912 a large number of public-spirited farmers and
other interested citizens from all over the county gathered to discuss
how the hiring of an expert farm adviser would move agriculture
forward. Bankers, newspapermen, business people and farmers pledged
funds to finance this new organization.
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| On March 27, 1912 the charter was issued for the DeKalb County
Soil Improvement Association which eventually evolved into the DeKalb County Farm Bureau. The first meeting place was at the Pierce
Trust & Savings Bank in Sycamore, Illinois. The organization moved
its office to DeKalb later that year on the east side of north
3rd street. |
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The Binghamton, New York Chamber of Commerce had a group known
as the "farm bureau" in 1911 although the official name "Broome
County Farm Bureau" was not assumed until 1914. DeKalb County,
Illinois was certainly among the first to establish the organization
and hire a farm advisor to carry out the responsibilities of farm
bureau work. William G. Eckhardt became the first "county agriculturalist"
or adviser on June 1, 1912. |
Smith-Lever Act of 1914
National legislation established cooperative agricultural extension
work and made it possible for federal funds to be matched by states.
In turn, local associations like Farm Bureau could serve as official
sponsors of the Extension Service. |
Illinois Agricultural Association - 1916
The state federation of county agricultural associations formed
in 1916 with DeKalb County's Henry H. Parke as one of the organizers.
This was the forerunner of the Illinois Farm Bureau. |
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New Location in 1917
The old "North School" building at 320 North Fifth Street
in DeKalb became the new home of the organization for a purchase
price of $3,000.
Seed Business Boomed
The main emphasis the first few years of the organization was to
replace much of the lowly esteemed timothy with clover and alfalfa.
Efforts were made to import the best seed from other states. Efforts
were also made to encourage the use of limestone and raw rock phosphate
to raise the soil pH.
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DeKalb County Agricultural
Association
Formed
As a spin-off of the Soil Improvement Association the DeKalb County
Agricultural Association (soon to be referred to as DeKalb Ag)
was incorporated in 1917. The purpose was to become engaged in the
commercial seed business.
Eckhardt-Gun-Roberts
William Eckhardt hired Charlie Gunn as the association’s assistant
demonstration agent or corn breeder and also hired Thomas H.
Roberts, Sr. as an assistant farm adviser.
Gunn and Roberts experimented with hybridizing seed corn.
Roberts then became the second farm adviser, replacing
Eckhardt who was hired by the Illinois Agricultural Association.
AFBF Formed in 1920
The federation of state farm bureaus became the American Farm Bureau
Federation in 1920.
Name Change
The DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association officially became
the DeKalb County Farm Bureau on April 28, 1926.
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Decennial Celebration in 1922
Ten years of farm bureau activity generated 100,00 members in Illinois
and 1,000,000 in the U.S. The pageant involving 4,000 members in
the cast attracted upward of 30,000 on June 30, 1922.
Seed Corn Development
Charlie Gunn and Tom Roberts continued experimental work on hybridizing
seed corn and began to notice improved yields.
Other Ventures Developed
Other associations developed out of the Farm Bureau among them including
the Farm Bureau Farm Management Association, Cow Testing Association,
Farm Loan Association, Farmers' Protective Association, Illinois
Farm Supply and Illinois Agricultural Mutual Insurance Company.
Rural Youth
In 1936 Rural Youth was organized to serve the social needs of boys
and girls who had graduated from 4-H Club work.
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4-H Term Used
In October, 1927 the term "4-H" became freely used for the
first time. 4-H clubs and activities flourished in the 1930s.
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Home Bureau
Organized in 1936 Home Bureau (now Homemakers Extension Association)
brought home economics education programs to the women of the county.
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Marketing Efforts
Throughout the '20s and '30s many efforts were made to coordinate
marketing efforts to improve and stabilize prices received by dairy,
livestock and grain farmers. These efforts resulted in various levels
of success and longevity. |
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Winged Ear Symbol
Developed
The flying ear of corn became the symbol of the DeKalb Agricultural
Association in 1936 depicting DeKalb brand corn flying away with
the farm mortgage. |
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Northern Illinois Experiment Field
Farm Bureau supported the development of an experiment field in
the mid 1940's to be located south of DeKalb and managed by the
University of Illinois.
DeKalb County Producers Supply -1943
This organization developed to provide biologics, medicines, serums
and veterinary supplies to area farmers.
Soil Testing
A new laboratory opened in 1945 to focus attention on improving
soil productivity. Farm Bureau members received free sample testing.
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New Farm Bureau Building
In 1951 Farm Bureau built a new building at 315 N. 6th. St. in DeKalb which became its home until 1996. Numerous agriculture organizations
participated in this "one-stop" department of agriculture. |
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Farm Bureau and Extension Separation
Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson ordered the separation
of Farm Bureau and the Agricultural Extension Service in 1954 to
define the relationship between a private farm organization and
a public government agency. Extension continued to be housed in
the Farm Bureau building and the close working relationship continued.
U.S. Farm Policy Council
DeKalb Farm Bureau took an active role trying to bring together
this public relations program for agriculture in the 1960's to develop
land use and production goals.
Golden Anniversary Celebrated
In 1962 perhaps 20,000 people attended the parade and program highlighting
the first 50 years of Farm Bureau involvement.
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Emphasis on World Trade
Opportunities for sale of identity preserved, quality grains were
explored via trade missions and export initiatives. Farm Bureau
developed DeKalb County Exports, Inc., and built an elevator and
barge loading facility on the Illinois River at Ottawa which they
operated from 1974 to 1982 before selling it to Tabor Grain Co.
Livestock Processing
The DeKalb County Marketing Services, Inc., was founded in 1976
to foster trade with other states' farm bureau members on a reciprocal
basis. A meat processing plant was built in DeKalb in 1980 and
operated until 1986.
Center For Agriculture
Farm Bureau moved to its current site in July, 1996 still offering
a "one-stop" agricultural center.
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