History of Agriculture on the I&M Canal

The Grundy County Historical Society is hosting an agricultural lecture series developed by the I&M Canal Corridor Association and Donna Theimer. 

Presenter: Dr. Wayne Duerkes
The evolution of nineteenth century agriculture is northern Illinois. The first wave of settlers transplanted the time-honored extensive agricultural methodologies to the Midwest. But, with a market-oriented base of farmers migrating to the northern counties from northern states, this antiquated methodology was replaced with intensive agriculture which set the stage for commercial and monocultural agricultural processes. Find out what these various farming methodologies are and how they transformed the lives of farmers throughout northern Illinois.