The Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University was formed in 1902 with an emphasis on the study of farm management, farm crops, soils, and farm mechanics. As of 2016, the department offers undergraduate degrees in agroecology, crop management and business, plant breeding and biotechnology, and soil science and environmental quality. This collection contains annual reports and supporting materials that document the students and faculty and their research accomplishments.

Agricultural courses have been taught at Iowa State since the first students arrived on campus. During the 1800s the Department of Practical Agriculture offered courses in basic farming techniques. In 1902 the Department of Agronomy was established with the main emphasis of study being farm management, farm crops, soils, and farm mechanics. The establishment of the Department of Agronomy greatly expanded the number of courses offered, especially those concerned with the study of soils.

The composition of the Department of Agronomy changed often during the early years of the department. By 1905, farm mechanics courses were expanded and consolidated into the newly formed Department of Agricultural Engineering. A separate Department of Farm Management was created in 1915, leaving farm crops and soils the primary courses taught by Agronomy faculty members. In 1916, the department's name was officially changed to the Department of Farm Crops and Soils only to be changed back to the Department of Agronomy in 1934.

Over the years the Department of Agronomy has continued to expand and thrive. Research farms were established across the state that allowed faculty and staff to study soil and growing conditions in Iowa. The department moved into the Agronomy Building in 1952, which was greatly expanded in 1986. The National Soil Tilth Laboratory (National Laboratory for Agriculture and Environment), a USDA Agriculture Research Service facility, was constructed on campus in 1989. In 1998, the department initiated a distance education program for Master of Science in Agronomy. As of 2011, the department offers undergraduate degrees in agroecology, agronomy management and business, plant breeding and biotechnology, research and development, and soil and environmental science along with M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs.

This collection (1903-2004) contains annual reports for Iowa State University's Department of Agronomy. The oldest reports contain information about salaries, needed equipment, other departmental expenses, and discussion of new classes. By the 1940s, the reports related the accomplishments of soil management and conservation practices, crop management, soil surveys, soil fertility, and journal publications. By the early 2000s, the reports contained student and faculty data, faculty participation in committees and panels, lists of enrolled students, lists of published articles, department facilities, and funding resources. The supporting materials found with the earlier reports could include reports, summaries of departmental research, research data, and published articles.

The collection is organized chronologically.