Photo: The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Center for Agriculture

When George Rogers Clark visited northern Illinois on a military mission in the late 1700s he included in his report that the area had the best farm country in the world.  Clark was not wrong and DeKalb County still has some of the richest soil in northern Illinois and therefore the world.  Agriculture shaped the history of this county and its development. Native Americans of the area were growing corn long before the European setters arrived.  Barbed wire was invented in DeKalb or Waterman depending on who's case is stronger in your perspective.  One of the first industries to introduce the area to the Industrial Age was Marsh Harvester in Sycamore.  The "flying ear of corn" sign (photo) seen along the highways across this country has made the name "DEKALB" known throughout the world.  Although "DeKalb Ag" has been through many changes over the years, including its recent acquisition by Monsanto, descendants of its founding families still call DeKalb County home. Thanks to a proactive county government and cooperative municipal governments, agriculture will continue to shape the future of this county in the 21st century. 

Ag Statistics in DeKalb County

Agriculture related businesses and organizations in DeKalb County: