Carroll County Farm Bureau Records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RHC-RC-096

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These records document a major portion of the Carroll County Farm Bureau’s history from its first annual meeting in 1921 through 1965. A complete run of meeting minutes (1921-1965) relate information on the various services promoted and supported by the Farm Bureau. Membership records, agreements, and accounts provide data on every person involved in the Carroll County Farm Bureau since its inception. Finally, financial ledgers and the audit reports (1952-1969) relate valuable data on the business and economic concerns of the organization. Included in the collection are records from the Carroll County Producers Supplies. This cooperative, formed in 1939, provided hybrid seed to Farm Bureau members. The meeting minutes (1939-1965), audit reports (1952-1969), seed purchase accounts (1952-1973), and financial journals (1940-1945, 1956-1967) provide sufficient information for a complete history of this affiliate. Another affiliate, the Carroll and JoDaviess Dairy Herd Improvement Association can be partially documented through financial records (1937-1946). Any other records from this association were not included in the collection, and as yet, have not been located by the Regional History Center. Researchers should note that only a few pieces of correspondence are contained in the collection and very little supplementary materials (i.e. pamphlets and programs) have been provided. All current materials (1965 to the present) remain in the Carroll County Farm Bureau offices in Mt. Carroll, Illinois.

Dates

created: 1921-1973
Other: Date acquired: 04/18/1980

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the materials in the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights to the records belong to the Regional History Center. Literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

On June 28, 1919, a group of Carroll County farmers established the Carroll County Farm Bureau in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. The organization’s objectives were to promote business services and educational programs. The first officers elected were George Lamp, President; Carl Daehler, Vice-President; Charles Gordon, Secretary; and Will Werner, Treasurer. On recommendation of the University of Illinois agricultural extension service, George R. Bliss became the first county farm advisor. The first annual meeting was held on January 4, 1921. In the years to come, the Carroll County Farm Bureau was to organize several cooperative affiliates and support various social activities and programs. The Mt. Carroll Cooperative Creamery opened in 1922 followed by the Carroll Service Company (1930), the Carroll Feed Company (1937), and the Carroll Cooperative Producers Supplies (1939). All four affiliates primarily were developed to minimize price fluctuations as well as provide needed supplies to members. By the 1950’s the Farm Bureau sponsored softball teams, chorus groups, 4-H clubs, Rural Youth (an organization of young Farm Bureau people), Home Bureau, picnics, tours, and river boat excursions. The Carroll County Farm Bureau continues to provide many benefits and services.

Note written by

Extent

6.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Eugene Milisap

Method of Acquisition

Eugene Milisap, Manager, donated the records of the Carroll County Farm Bureau on April 18, 1980.

Related Materials

Related collections held by the Regional History Center include the DeKalb County Farm Bureau (RC 52), the Kane County Farm Bureau (RC 76), the DuPage County Farm Bureau (RC 87), and the North Corn Belt Seed Growers, Incorporated (RC 90).

Related Publications

Researchers also should refer to Farm Bureau in Illinois: History of Illinois Farm Bureau by John J. Lacy (Illinois Agricultural Association: Bloomington, 1965).