MPFB History

Farm Bureau in Marshall and Putnam Counties became a reality in 1919 after a number of enterprising farmers started calling on their neighbors, suggesting the need for an organization for farmers.

Through Farm Bureau, they could accomplish many things; new and better varieties of crops could be grown, a higher grade of livestock could be produced, diseases and pests of all kinds could be warded off, and the injustices to the farmer might be alleviated in an orderly and dignified manner.  The purpose of the farm adviser was to assist the farmers with their problems.

Funds for an adviser's salary and operating costs were to come from the three sources; money appropriated by the state legislature and administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, funds supplied by the US Department of Agriculture and administered as Smith-Lever Funds by the U of I, and from Farm Bureau dues.

At a meeting held on October 10, 1919, the motion was made that a permanent organization be formed, namely, Farm Bureau, and a nominating committee selected the first officers for the Marshall-Putnam Farm Bureau.  The officers were W.G. Griffith, President, John Turnbill, Vice President, Ralph French, Secretary and Elmer Quinn, Treasurer.

In January of 1920, it was agreed to accept office space in the First National Bank Building at the cost of $20 per month.  The counties were then qualified for a Farm Adviser and the selection of F.E. Fuller was made.  Mr. Fuller was from Bozeman, Montana where he was an Extension Crop Specialist.  When Mr. Fuller arrived in March, a membership of 700 had been signed.

The Board gave Mr. Fuller its approval to hire a secretary, resulting in Miss Edna Bell receiving the position as the first Farm Bureau office secretary at $100 per month.

Today our mission remains the same, representation for Marshall and Putnam county farmers and our area friends of agriculture!  Let us know what we can do for you!