f o s r a 100 ye l ture A gricu I
n 1912, the success of the DeKalb County Farmers’ Institute,
the DeKalb County Bankers’ Association, the DeKalb County Newspapermen’s Association and progressive farmers in the community established the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association. This group was dedicated to improving farming and increasing crop yields to benefit farmers and the people of northern
D AAHA ent m e t a t S n o Missi
Illinois. Both DEKALB Genetics Corporation and DeKalb County Farm Bureau origins trace back to this one organization. 100 years later, the DEKALB brand continues to lead the agricultural industry with innovations that improve farmer’s yields around the world. In 2002, the DEKALB Alumni Association (DAA), a social organization made up of over 300 former DEKALB employees, became aware of historic DEKALB documents, artwork and memorabilia being stored in structures that were being sold and targeted for demolition.
DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, Inc. is dedicated to collecting, preser ving and sharing with people of all ages the storied histor y of agriculture and its innovators in northern Illinois.
Dedicated Alumni members recognized the importance of the materials and salvaged them. Following successful exhibitions of DEKALB memorabilia and presentations, the DeKalb Park District offered DAA the Nehring Gallery for further exhibitions, presentations and storing collections. In 2010, DAA members and others interested in preserving and promoting agricultural history formed a non-profit organization to find a permanent home for this material. This became DeKalb
111 South Second St., Suite 204 DeKalb, IL 60115 Phone: (815)756-8737
Area Agricultural Heritage Association, Inc. (DAAHA). DAAHA has
Website: www.daaha.org
been actively sponsoring educational and informational programs,
Hours: Sundays and
cataloging items in preparation of a virtual tour of its collection,
Wednesdays, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. or
working with Monsanto in its 100 year celebration of DEKALB and
by appointment
aggressively seeking partners whose history also includes innovations impacting agriculture.
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DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, Inc.