JOURNAL ARTICLE

Rivers, Rails, and Rich Soil: Agricultural Innovations in Illinois.

  • Published In: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, 2026, v. 119, n. 1. P. 19 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: BARKER-DEVINE, JENNY 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the historical development and ongoing significance of agriculture in Illinois, highlighting its evolution from Indigenous diversified farming systems to a center of agricultural innovation and education. It details key milestones such as the establishment of agricultural societies, the invention of the steel plow by John Deere, the rise of mechanized farming, and the founding of the University of Illinois under the Morrill Land-Grant Act. The piece also addresses the social and economic transformations in rural Illinois, including the decline in farm operators and the increasing role of women farmers supported by initiatives like Annie’s Project. Additionally, it emphasizes efforts to preserve Illinois’ agricultural heritage through museums, oral histories, and digitized archives. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 2026/03, Vol. 119, Issue 1, p19
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Biography
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:1522-1067
  • DOI:10.5406/23283335.119.1.04
  • Accession Number:192456739
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society is the property of Illinois State Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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