top of page
100 Years of Agricultural Innovation
Click on the pictures to get more information!
2011.9.117
The DeKalb Agricultural Association, Inc. evolved from its beginnings as a county co-op in 1912 to a leader in agricultural research through innovative product development.
In the early 1900s, DeKalb County farmers became increasingly aware of mounting agricultural problems. After decades of continual farming, farmers found their crop yields were not as prosperous as years before. Crop varieties were limited and Illinois did not have a seed law governing the type and quality of seed that could be distributed in the state. As a result, DeKalb County was becoming an increasingly popular place to dump bad quality seed.
Although a number of agricultural education and farmers assistance groups existed in DeKalb County, these groups were limited in the type and amount of agricultural education they could provide farmers. Community leaders and local farmers banned together in late 1911 to discuss the hiring of a full-time County farm advisor.
In the early 1900s, DeKalb County farmers became increasingly aware of mounting agricultural problems. After decades of continual farming, farmers found their crop yields were not as prosperous as years before. Crop varieties were limited and Illinois did not have a seed law governing the type and quality of seed that could be distributed in the state. As a result, DeKalb County was becoming an increasingly popular place to dump bad quality seed.
Although a number of agricultural education and farmers assistance groups existed in DeKalb County, these groups were limited in the type and amount of agricultural education they could provide farmers. Community leaders and local farmers banned together in late 1911 to discuss the hiring of a full-time County farm advisor.
2011.9.644
On January 20, 1912, after considerable fundraising, the DeKalb County Banker's Association, the DeKalb County Newspapermen's Association and the DeKalb County Farmer's Institute, combined to form a farmer cooperative called the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association (DCSIA). The mission of the DCSIA was to act as a governing organization to solicit funds and organize a committee to hire a county farm advisor who would assist in improving the fertility of the local soil and provide local farmers with advice
bottom of page