DeKalb County, IL is well known for its rich history of agriculture. In 1852, the first Agricultural Fair was held in Sycamore, under the supervision of the DeKalb Agricultural Society. Eventually farmers, businessmen, bankers, and newspapermen organized to become the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association. In later years, the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association would split into two and become DeKalb County Farm Bureau and DeKalb Agricultural Association (DEKALB AgResearch, Inc., Monsanto). DeKalb County is credited with being the birthplace of the Farm Bureau movement.

Education has played an important role in the area with Northern Illinois University located in DeKalb and Kishwaukee Community College located in Malta. A major fair has been held each year since 1887 at the Sandwich Fairgrounds in Sandwich. ( Information taken from https://dekalbcounty.org/about/history-of-dekalb-county/county-history/ )

DeKalb County Farm Bureau publishes a periodical called “Connections”. In the March/April edition, you can read about longtime DeKalb County natives, the Pritchard Family.

Many of you know that outside of farming, Bob Pritchard served from 2003-2018 as DeKalb County’s Illinois State Representative for the 70th District.

To read the article, please follow the link below.
Pritchard Farms Family Farm Heritage

DCEDC is grateful to all the DeKalb County farmers and their families for continuing its’ rich history.