Special Collections & University Archives
403 Parks Library
701 Morrill Road
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 9/9/1
Iowa State University
Department of Agronomy
Subject Files, 1922-[ongoing]
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Iowa State University. Department of Agronomy |
| title: | Subject Files |
| dates: | 1922-[ongoing] |
| extent: | 1.68 linear feet (4 document boxes) |
| collection number: | RS 9/9/1 |
| repository: | University Archives, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Iowa State University. |
| language: | English |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections and University Archives Department |
| preferred citation: | Department of Agronomy Subject Files, RS 9/9/1, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Access points
| People, Families, and Corporate Bodies: | Iowa State University. Department of Agronomy |
| Places: | |
| Subjects: | Agronomy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Iowa |
| Genres: | Ephemera |
Abstract
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 information about departmental staff, written histories of the department, anniversary celebrations, facility expansions and renovations, and committee and council meetings. |
Historical note
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. |
Collection description
This collection (1922-[ongoing]) contains plans of work for the department and staff, slides of crop research, and materials related to Iowa Fertilizer Council meetings, Agronomy Department 50th and 100th anniversaries, the Agronomy Building expansion, personnel information, and the Baker Council. |
Organization
The collection is arranged chronologically. |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
Accession numbers of the breeding material included in the corn breeding experiments at Ames, Iowa |
1922-1934 |
1 |
2 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1939 |
1 |
3 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1939-1940 |
1 |
4 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1941-1942 |
1 |
5 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1943 |
1 |
6 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1947-1948 |
1 |
7 |
50th anniversary of Department of Agronomy - publications |
1952 |
1 |
8 |
Iowa State College centennial - academic procession (4 color slides) |
1958 |
1 |
9 |
Agronomy newsletter and alumni directory |
1961 |
1 |
10 |
Iowa Fertilizer Council |
1965-1967 |
1 |
11 |
Corn research (40 color slides) |
1966-1975, undated |
1 |
12 |
Iowa Fertilizer Council - meeting minutes, information, correspondence |
1967-1969 |
1 |
13 |
Directory and staff listings |
1967-1978 |
1 |
14 |
Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering Research Center tour guide |
1968 |
1 |
15 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1968-1969 |
1 |
16 |
Annual narrative reports - Agronomy Extension |
1968-1973 |
2 |
1 |
Iowa Fertilizer Council - meeting minutes, information, correspondence |
1969-1973 |
2 |
2 |
Iowa Crops and Soils Research Association - organization information |
1970-1975 |
2 |
3 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1971-1972 |
2 |
4 |
Classroom and laboratory activities (10 color slides) |
1971-1978, undated |
2 |
5 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1973-1974 |
2 |
6 |
Soybean research (40 color slides) |
1974-1975, undated |
2 |
7 |
Agricultural Engineering Farm (20 color slides) |
1975 |
2 |
8 |
Oat research (18 color slides) |
1975, undated |
2 |
9 |
Agronomy Building addition - information |
1976-1986 |
2 |
10 |
Agronomy Department - "Current Information Relating to Personnel, Organization, and Activities" |
1977-1980 |
2 |
11 |
Contributors to the Agronomy Building planning fund - brochures |
1979-1980 |
3 |
1 |
Agronomy Department - "Current Information Relating to Personnel, Organization, and Activities" |
1981-1984 |
3 |
2 |
Report - "Summary of Iowa Soil Moisture Data for All Available Years of Date, 1954-1983" |
1983 circa |
3 |
3 |
Report - "Summary of Stress Index, Data for Corn (1954-1983)" |
1983 circa |
3 |
4 |
Agronomy Department - "Current Information Relating to Personnel, Organization, and Activities" |
1985-1988 |
3 |
5 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1988-1995 |
3 |
6 |
Agronomy Department - "Current Information Relating to Personnel, Organization, and Activities" |
1989-1992 |
4 |
3 |
"Review Report of Research and Related Programs" |
1990 |
4 |
4 |
Department of Agronomy history |
1990-1996 |
4 |
5 |
International Crop Science Congress - program |
1992 |
4 |
1 |
Plan of work - Agronomy Extension |
1992-1997 |
4 |
2 |
Agronomy Department - "Current Information Relating to Personnel, Organization, and Activities" |
1993-1996 |
3 |
7 |
Raymond Baker gift announcement |
1999 |
4 |
9 |
Baker Council - reception at the Knoll (42 color photos) |
2000 |
4 |
10 |
Baker Council members (28 color photos) |
2000 |
4 |
8 |
Master of Science in Agronomy - Distance Education Program |
2000-2007 circa |
4 |
6 |
Graduation Program and Reception - program |
2001 |
4 |
11 |
100th anniversary of Department of Agronomy - website pages |
2002 |
4 |
12 |
100th anniversary of Department of Agronomy - information |
2002 |
4 |
14 |
"Strategic Directions" - Department of Agronomy |
2004-2005 |
4 |
7 |
Baker Council Initiatives in Agronomy |
2008 |
4 |
13 |
Cook Corn Trophy - information, history |
2012 |